Burglaries are ‘preventable’

ERIN PEARSON
COMPLACENT store owners caused themselves thousands of dollars in unnecessary damage, say Geelong police.
Leading Senior Constable Adrian Goodwin said three out of every five businesses burgled last year were “easily preventable” yet owners were snubbing basic security advice.
He said stores failing to identify that they held no cash on the premises were asking for trouble because cash was the biggest incentive to thieves.
“Offenders don’t realise that there is nothing on the premises worth stealing if stores don’t convey this so they break in, cause significant and costly damage, yet leave empty handed.
“A sign that says no cash kept on the premises or the view of an open, empty till can be enough to avoid a break in.”
Sen Const Goodwin said Pakington Street, Geelong West had been highly targeted.
“Geelong West and the light industrial areas around Thompson Road, North Geelong, have been hammered for the last six months. Owners can’t keep going the same way they’ve been going the last 10 years,” he said.
“Some places have been hit three or four times.
“People may feel comfortable that they have nothing of value on their premises but they’re not communicating this and therefore making themselves a target for thieves.”
Geelong Loss Prevention Committee member, Keith Fagg said it was vital shop owners keep store rooms locked and alarm systems working.
He said the impact of burglary on a business was emotionally “quite substantial”.
“Our North Geelong Mitre 10 store was recently burgled but our alarm system worked immediately and the police caught them red handed.
“If people are aware of these problems and take proactive actions it will pay dividends.”