Albany’s officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia on the importance of staying vigilant over summer

Albany’s top cop says locals and visitors should stay alert and look after their valuables as Albany heads into its busiest time of year over the summer holidays.

Albany officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia said small-scale stealing, including car break-ins, has historically ramped up as tourist numbers swell and warned people getting out and about in the Great Southern to take a few steps to keep their belongings safe.

Local police have a simple message for people over the summer: lock it or lose it.

“It’s not rocket science, don’t leave valuables in places where they can be seen and stolen, like in your car, and lock up every time you leave your car,” Sen. Sgt Correia said.

“Past behaviour dictates future behaviour more often than not.

“There are some desperate people out there at this time of the year who think they can make a bit of money stealing things.

“Where opportunity exists, crime exists. People will look into cars and if they see an opportunity to take something that might be of value they’re going to take it.”

Sen. Sgt Correia said locations including caravan parks and beach carparks often became targets during the holiday season.

“People come to Albany thinking it’s a nice place to be, it’s a safe place to be, which I’m happy to say it is for the most part, but more people in town does create more opportunity and these crooks know that,” he said.

“If you’ve parked at the beach in a bit of an isolated spot, as so many of our beaches around here can be, don’t think that nothing can get stolen because there’s nobody around.

“There are people who go around these spots because they know there will be cars people have left when they’ve gone down to the beach, and even if you’re only gone for a quick dip, things can get stolen in 10 minutes.

“Some people decide they’re going to leave their cars unlocked so that if things are stolen or criminals come around and think they want to have a look inside, there’s no damage to pay for, but I would say that strategy is just inviting worse offending.

“Modern cars certainly are more difficult to hot wire, but there are people out there who know how to do it.

“Caravan parks also become targets this time of year, and everyone should have the right to feel themselves and their belongings are safe wherever they are, but unfortunately stealing at caravan parks is a pattern over the summer season, so people should be keeping just as vigilant.”

Easy ways to make your belongings safer include parking in well-lit areas if you’re out after dark, noting where CCTV cameras are placed in public areas, and installing dash cams or recording devices.

Police are also encouraging members of the community to report suspicious behaviour when they see it.

“If you think it’s suspicious, it probably is,” Sen. Sgt Correia said.

“Reporting suspicious behaviour keeps the community safer, if you think something isn’t quite right, call it in to police and let us come out and do the work.”