Sensor lights catch ’thieves’ in act

A Whittington man has documented footage of would-be thieves abandoning plans to break into a parked car after sensor lights spooked them.
The man, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said he had filmed three separate incidents of “youths” trying to break into a car in front of his house.
The footage showed groups of two, four and five people approaching the car but walking away quickly when they activated the lights.
The man said thieves had yet to gain entry to the vehicle but a neighbour’s car was broken into one of the same nights.
He has provided police with a copy of footage.
Geelong Police crime prevention officer Adrian Goodwin said sensor lights and home security cameras were effective deterrents for thieves.
Leading Senior Constable Goodwin said inexpensive sensor lights could “scare” culprits into “thinking they’re being watched”.
Visible security cameras could also ward off thieves but homeowners had to “weigh up” the cost.
Sen Const Goodwin advised homeowners using cameras to place them strategically because many systems had “limited” capacity for facial recognition.