Police putting car owners on notice

BY CHERIE DONNELLAN
SURF Coast Police have launched a new operation after finding that thieves who break into cars find 90 per cent of them unlocked.
Crime Investigations Unit Detective Sergeant Craig Blunt said Operation Lock Me was a “proactive” response to the offence of leaving unattended vehicles unlocked.
The operation involved police issuing warnings to motorists leaving valuables visible in unlocked cars.
“Notices will be sent out to the owners of these cars to warn locals,” Det Sgt Blunt said.
The number of people leaving valuables like wallets, phones, iPods and laptops in “clear view” was frustrating Surf Coast police.
Det Sgt Blunt said vehicle owners appearing on the register more than once could receive fines.
“We don’t want to have to get to that point, though.”
Det Sgt Blunt said the operation included warnings to surfers leaving keys on car tyres that they were “easy targets” for thieves.
“Surfers often leave their keys in wheel arches but they don’t realise thieves often watch them.”