Lock up your property to help police disrupt opportunity crime

Burnside Neighbourhood Watch Group members Tony Bryant, left, and Rod Brady with District Crime Prevention Coordinator Acting Sergeant Sandra Atkinson.

Residents could help police these Christmas holidays by locking up to prevent “opportunity crime” according to District Crime Prevention Coordinator Acting Sergeant Sandy Atkinson.

Sgt Atkinson said break-ins were often crimes of opportunity, where criminals gained entry through an open or unlocked door or window. “People could really help police by simply locking up,” she said.

Sgt Atkinson was at the Burnside Neighbourhood Watch Group’s `Coffee with a Cop’ session at The Post Coffee House in Windsor Road earlier this month. Residents came and met volunteer members of the Group and enjoyed free coffee, while chatting about crime-related issues.

“Queensland Police are very supportive of Neighbourhood Watch and engaging the with the community through their network,” Sgt Atkinson said. “We look forward to working with them further to make Nambour a safer place to live and conduct business.”

Sgt Atkinson said one of the trending crimes in the Burnside area was number plate theft.

Drivers can obtain one-way screws from their local Police Station, to prevent this and avoid the consequences of subsequent crimes committed, where criminals disguise their identity by using the stolen number plates.

Funded by local businesses, Burnside Neighbourhood Watch Group meets four times a year in the Library/Resources Centre at Burnside State Primary School. Their next meeting is on Wednesday February 3 from 7pm. All residents are welcome. Neighbourhood Watch is an initiative of the Queensland Police Service.

Take your kids on a Story Walk these holidays

Sunshine Coast Council Libraries and Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden have joined forces again to promote First 5 Forever, an early literacy initiative, through the annual Story Walk.

Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said children’s early literature was critical to their development and a Story Walk was an innovative way to experience a children’s picture book.

• Story Walk: Saturday December 12, 2020 – Wednesday January 27, 2021. Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden is at 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha. Open 7am – 6pm, Monday – Sunday.