Raided: John Olsen with his emptied tool chest.
ERIN PEARSON
A SPATE of tool thefts across the region is a warning for tradesmen to mark their property for identification, according to Geelong police.
Crime prevention officer Leading Senior Constable Adrian Goodwin said the thefts were costing individual tradesmen thousands of dollars in lost property and time.
Thieves were taking tools from houses under construction, garages and secure vehicles, he said.
“There’s a market out there for these products because they have a high resale value. Tools that cost $650 brand new will sell for $350 pretty quickly and they’re hard to track.”
Sen Const Goodwin said the thieves were selling the tools to unwitting buyers in various ways such as online.
He urged tradesmen to be vigilant and mark tools with their names or licence number so police could identify stolen property.
“There’s really not enough property marking going on and it’s so easy to do these days and cheap for tradies,” he said.
“People can use ultraviolet pens or engrave licence numbers into tools or even spray tools with chemical substances that have a unique code.
“There are so many products available these days.”
Sen Const Goodwin said a lack of regulations enforcing fencing around Geelong building sites made them easy targets.
“In Melbourne sites have to be secured but here builders don’t really have to, making it easier for burglars to access, especially this time of year.”
Victoria Police Safer Communities Acting Sergeant Noel Redmond said property owners could take “proactive steps” to improve household security against theft.
Sgt Redmond said the key was making vacant homes look occupied.
“We each have a role to play when it comes to making our homes and workplaces safer. The simple rule is that if a home looks unattended it’s generally an easier target for a burglar.”
