Deterring offenders is often quite simple

POLICE WRAP is written by Geraldton police station OIC Sen. Sgt Jason Scragg.

While we’re disappointed to see businesses affected by crime, the burglary of Leon Baker Jewellers last week can serve as an important reminder for our residents and business owners to be vigilant with security.

We know the majority of burglaries are opportunistic, occurring when offenders find targets too good to ignore.

Luckily, deterring offenders is relatively simple. Using sensor lights, CCTV cameras and alarms will make it harder for burglars to feel they can slip in unnoticed and will decrease the chance of crime happening.

These work by drawing attention to offenders, and revealing their identities.

It’s instinctual, but if offenders are where they’re not supposed to be and suddenly attention is drawn to them, they are more likely to flee than to hang around.

They may also move on to other areas that are not so well lit and which don’t have cameras or alarms.

While the jewellery store had quality security measures and was still targeted, the noise from the alarm could have prevented the burglary from being far worse, and CCTV footage has certainly allowed us to charge an alleged offender.

A teenager will face court next week over the burglary, but police are yet to recover a significant sum of cash taken from these premises.

I’d like to put a call out for businesses in our community to be wary of anyone who comes through their stores with any large amounts of cash — especially any adults or juveniles flashing money around.

There might be a valid explanation, but if you see something suspicious or are unsure, please call the Geraldton Police Station and we’ll be happy to come out and determine that.

Businesses should also think about where they store their cash floats, and perhaps the store isn’t the place to be doing that overnight.

Police have had a lot of success in solving recent burglaries. These simple steps will make it harder for crooks and will benefit our community.