WITH warmer weather approaching, Bunbury residents have been urged to take more care to lessen their chances of becoming a target of thieves.
In previous years, burglaries increase in summer months with people spending more time outside, leaving windows and doors open to get a breeze and getting carried away with festive season celebrations.
South West crime prevention officer Senior Constable Steph Smith said it is up to each of us to try and reduce crime.
“Crime prevention is everyone’s job and we must work together to reduce crime by taking responsibility for our actions and our property,” Senior Constable Smith said.
New research from Edith Cowan University has found less than half of West Australians leave their car keys in a safe, secure location.
The research also found the most common method of cars being stolen was by first stealing the car’s keys.
ECU school of law and justice senior lecturer Dr Natalie Gately said WA police figures show car thefts have increased by almost 50 per cent in the three years to 2013.
“Previous research has show that burglars are more likely to enter a residence when valuables such as car keys are visible,” Dr Gately said.
“This shows that just leaving your keys on a kitchen bench or somewhere else in clear view is doubly risky in having your house broken into and your car stolen.”
Senior Constable Smith said along with car keys, thieves target personal items such as wallets, phones and laptops.
“We tell people all the time to lock their possessions away,” she said.
“If you cannot lock it away – put it away and if you cannot put it away – hide it away.”
The summer months also produce a number of theft victims at the beach.
“When you are heading to the beach we advise you to take as few possessions as possible,” Senior Constable Smith said.
“It is difficult to secure keys when you are in the water so you must try to observe your property as much as possible.”
Check out the police's handy PDF with more tips to reduce burglary here.
Tips for reducing the risk of car theft
Keep keys at home in a safe location
Lock vehicle doors
Close windows
Install an alarm
Install an immobiliser