State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, is urging local residents to follow some simple steps to protect themselves and their property after an increase in theft from motor vehicles in the last month.
Statistics published in the Neighbourhood Watch newsletter for Beresfield and Tarro show an increase in theft over the last two months. The majority of reported offences in the area were thefts from parked vehicles.
Residents should remove any valuables from their cars when they park, including wallets and electronic goods.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“I urge all residents to keep an eye on their valuables and not leave them in your car overnight.”
“It takes just a moment for a thief to get in and out of an unlocked car or to smash a window and grab whatever they can. Take your phone and wallet with you when you park, and make sure that any bags left in the car are kept well out of sight.”
“By the time you realise the following morning that you have been robbed, the thief has used payWave to purchase goods worth hundreds of dollars.”
“Other valuables, such as cameras and laptop computers are simply sold to other criminals and the cycle continues.”
“Local Police are doing their best to track down the culprits with limited staff and resources, but they need more support from the State Government.”
“I’ve recently been calling for more Police in the western suburbs of Newcastle, including the Beresfield-Tarro area, and for more personnel and longer opening hours at the Beresfield Police Station.”
“I look forward to continuing to fight for a stronger Police presence in the western suburbs of Newcastle when Parliament resumes in August.”