THE Bathurst State Emergency Service has serious concerns that thieves will use SES overalls to pose as volunteers after suffering yet another break-in at their Lloyds Road headquarters.
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Volunteers were gutted to discover the building had been broken into for the second time in a month on Saturday morning. It is believed the incident happened sometime between Thursday afternoon and the early hours of Saturday.
Central West SES regional controller Craig Ronan said yesterday that thieves might use stolen equipment to impersonate SES volunteers, either to collect money or gain access to private property.
“All SES volunteers are issued with a photographic identification card with an expiry date,” he said. “Anyone from the community approached by someone claiming to be an SES volunteer who cannot produce this identification card, should immediately contact police.”
Thieves removed a window to gain access to the building. They then kicked in doors before stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment used by the organisation to protect the community.
Initial investigations have found that computers, radios, traffic wands, SES overalls and wet weather jackets, a locked key cabinet containing spare keys and cash were among the items missing.
“They even stole frozen meat from the freezer,” Mr Ronan said.
The council-owned building will be under 24 hour guard until it can secured.
Bathurst SES controller Ian Borland said the break-in was a kick in the guts for local volunteers.
“Volunteers are angry and upset and cannot believe that anyone would break in and steal from a volunteer based organisation that is there to help the community during emergency situations,” he said.
Mr Borland said volunteers are seeking help from the local community.
“The SES encourages anyone who might have information about the break-in or the equipment stolen to contact Bathurst Police on 6332 8699,” he said.
The SES will meet with Bathurst Regional Council today to discuss improvements to security at the headquarters to prevent future break-ins.