Mid West-Gascoyne top cop warns parents about leaving children in cars as hot weather spikes

Police have warned parents not to leave their children in running vehicles after the Mid West-Gascoyne’s top cop personally witnessed six such incidents in a matter of weeks. Geraldton Police are calling on the public not to leave children in cars alone for any length of time, whether it’s parked or with the car running. The warning comes as temperatures are forecast to soar past 40C this week. Superintendent Steve Post said he has personally witnessed the shocking sight six times over the past three weeks and warned police would not hesitate to issue an infringement. Police said there were 175 vehicles stolen in Geraldton in 2022. In September alone, 25 vehicles were stolen across the Mid-West-Gascoyne district. “Not only are the cars left running and unlocked, but on six occasions, young children were left alone in the car,” Supt Post said. “Not only might you lose your car, imagine the terror if your car drove off with your children inside.” “Please turn off your cars, take your children with you and lock the doors, no matter how long you think you might be. “It’s just not worth the risk.” Supt Post said a parent had left a child inside the car on Saturday morning while she ordered a coffee at a store on Marine Terrace. On another occasion last week, he said he was walking along the main street when he noticed a woman left her car running with a three-year-old inside while she ducked into a shop. The weekend before, a child was left in a car parked out the front of the Chemist Warehouse. Supt Post said it was a careless act and could put a young life at risk if someone took advantage of the situation. “It only takes a few seconds to get in the driver’s seat of a running car and steal it,” he said. “If you have ever momentarily lost your children at the shops, you know that sick feeling. “Imagine the horrific feeling if you came out to find your car and your kids gone.”