Car break-in crackdown in Geraldton

Brazen thieves have prompted Geraldton police to trial a new crime-prevention tactic to deter people from breaking into cars and stealing valuables.

According to authorities, several reports of vehicle break-ins are being fielded a day, creating a significant impact on the police and the community.

Acting Sen Sgt Stuart Gerreyn said offenders were becoming more shameless about the crimes, often stealing in broad daylight.

“You get it with tradies on worksites leaving their wallets in their cars and they’re not 15m away when someone comes along in broad daylight, breaks into the car, steals the wallet and then keeps on going,” Sen Sgt Gerreyn said.

“You get people going to the cinemas ... and going through cars while people are in a movie.

“There’s not any specific problem area; it’s sometimes just people in groups wandering and checking door handles.

“It’s a 50-50 split between opportunistic and targeted thefts.”

To deter criminals, Geraldton police have put flyers in the 2300 letterboxes at Geraldton Post Office for motorists to display on their dashboards.

The flyers read “All valuables have been removed from this vehicle” and aim to discourage people from trying to break in. The flyers also remind people to lock their doors and make sure they do not leave valuables in their car.

Sen Sgt Gerreyn said if those crime-deterring practices were followed, it meant if a criminal did still break into a vehicle, victims were only left to deal with damage and not the double-whammy of a subsequent theft.

Residents interested in obtaining copies of the flyer should contact Geraldton Police Station on 9923 4555.