BRAZEN thieves are simply walking into people's homes and robbing them because too many residents are still leaving their front door open and unlocked.
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Frustrated by what is a preventable crime, Bathurst police are again pleading with local people to lock their front door and carry out other basic security measures to prevent them becoming a victim of crime.
In five of the nine break and enters reported to police in the 48 hours to yesterday morning, entry was gained through either an unlocked front door or garage door.
Chifley Local Area Command community safety officer Senior Constable Sue Rose yesterday said people need to take the basic precautions to protect their property.
"Your house has to be secure, whether you're sitting inside it or you're out the days of leaving your front door unlocked are gone," Senior Constable Rose said.
“If you leave your front door open and unlocked you’re simply asking for trouble.
“It’s all about target hardening and being proactive. People have to take steps to secure their home.
“Many of these break and enters are crimes of opportunity, and while police use intelligence and patrol areas where there are problems, we still need people to secure their homes.”
Senior Constable Rose said one of the best crime deterrents was natural surveillance.
“People need to be looking out for one another and, if you see something, call the police straight away,” she said.
“Timely information is vital.
“If you see a break in happening, call 000.”
Senior Constable Rose said some of the measures people could take to protect their homes included locking their doors, having sensor lights which come one when someone walks past and moving items away from windows which could be used to either smash the glass or to climb on to gain entry into the house.
“Often thieves will climb up on a garbage bin to access a balcony,” she said.
“Always lock your windows and get a good security screen door, and keep it locked.”
Other precautions include taking car keys out of the ignition, even when vehicles are parked in a garage and never hanging keys up in a shed.
“People need to make it harder for these criminals, we don’t want your house to be their next target,” she said.
Senior Constable Rose also encouraged anyone with a Facebook account to like the Chifley LAC page which is regularly updated with information about what is happening in the command.
The page is a like an electronic Neighbourhood Watch and keeps people abreast of what’s happening around them.
Police also use the page to disseminate information to the public, including crime prevention tips.
