Geelong Safe and Secure’s Nigel Henning said by the time most people contact him, it’s too late.
“Ninety per cent of the calls I get in Geelong are after they’ve been robbed. The burglary rate is going up monstrously.”
“And it’s not area conscious. I get more calls from people in Highton then I ever have in Corio.”
The single worst thing that can happen to a home-owner is identity fraud through the theft of personal documents, Nigel said.
“It’s really scary, you don’t know where it’s gone and you don’t know where it’s going.”
Clients often call him to their house after forensic police have finished scouring the area.
He has seen the look on people’s faces nearly every day after a burglar has stolen a relative’s priceless jewellery.
“Identity theft is worse,” he said.
The best option for homeowners is a 140kg safe bolted to their slab, Nigel said.
Geelong Safe and Secure is offering one-time special of $1649 ($200 off) on the safes until the end of November.
With almost two decades in the job Nigel understands the “smash and grab” tactics of burglars.
While the industry vastly improved the quality and price of CCTV cameras and alarms, Nigel said they are only part of the solution.
“Prices have come right down so CCTV is now a winner – but only in some circumstances.
“It’s fantastic right up until the junkie robbing you is wearing a hoodie and baseball cap.”
And alarm systems are no longer the deterrent they once were, he said.
“Someone knocks on your door and asks ‘Hi is Jeff or Sally there’. If you’re not home they bust the door straight in,” he said.
“He’s out of your door in the two minutes.”
A Geelong Safe and Secure safe can stop opportunistic thieves from grabbing people’s most important items like car keys, personal documents and family heirlooms.
With rising burglary rates the business is busier than ever.
“I’m starting work at 6am and not finishing until 7pm,” Nigel said.
For more information phone Geelong Safe and Secure on 5272 2272.
