NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REGION (5) DIVISION (3) South Crime Watch News INC A0037920V Bass Coast Police Service Area Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

MAY 2012

IMPORTANT To contact our editor or to subscribe to our Crime Watch Newsletters, Latrobe, Baw Baw, Bass Coast

NUMBERS or Crime Watch News, send an email to [email protected] To read past editions go to http://www.nhw.com.au/Eastern-Region/Bass-Coast and click Newsletters. Emergency 000 Mobiles 112 State Police, Ambulance HOT SPOT – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELP or Fire. - MALE DEMANDS PIZZA SHOP TILL Police: Cowes 5122 1790 At approximately 8.15 pm on Tuesday the 8th of May a Foster 5682 2407 male entered Paradise Pizza in McCartin Street, Leongatha. He approached the lone female worker and Inverloch 5674 1202 56551244 made a demand for the till. When the worker called Leongatha 5662 2285 for another staff member to come and assist her, the male left the shop without any money, running north Loch 5659 4267 Meeniyan 5664 7281 along McCartin Street. There were no weapons sighted by the employee. Mirboo Nth 5668 1444 San Remo 5678 5500 The male offender is described as approximately 178cm (5’ 8”), 80-90 kg, Caucasian, mid to late 20s, wearing a dark blue jumper or jacket and had a piece of light blue material covering his face. Toora 56862485 5672 1222 Police urge anyone who has information related to this incident to contact Senior Constable Felton of Crime Stoppers Leongatha Police on 5662 2285, Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au 1800 333 000 Neighbourhood Watch www.nhw.com.au ANNUAL NHW POLICE SHOWBAND AND PIPE BAND CONCERT Neighbourhood Watch TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE & Safer Communities Unit – L/S/C Brett The extremely popular annual Neighbourhood Watch Police Godden 5131 5085 Showband and Police Pipe Band Concert is on again at Kernot Hall, 0400 050 749 on Wednesday June 13th, commencing at 7.30 pm. Doors [email protected] will open at 7.00 pm. c.gov.au Facebook: Senior Tickets cost $7.00 per head, which includes a light supper at interval provided by Morwell Lions Club. Constable Brett or Each year the crowd is bigger and more diverse, with people trying to book for the next concert as South Gippsland they leave after a highly entertaining evening. The bands cater to all ages from big band Neighbourhood Watch/ Safer Community Group arrangements to the ever popular finale of the AC/DC classic “Long Way to Top The Top” featuring both bands. Child Protection 13 12 78 Neighbourhood Watch would like to thank the Lions Club of Morwell who always assists with catering Consumer Affairs on the night, feeding the bands and providing a light supper at interval. We would also like to thank 5116 5701. Latrobe City for their support of this event as well as the continued support of TRUenergy, Pazzazz Gippsland Dispute Printing, Workways, Morwell RSL, and GEST. Settlement Centre 1800 658 528 Tickets can be obtained through your local Neighbourhood Watch volunteer or by contacting: South Gippsland Laws Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden - 5131 5085 or 0400 050 749 or on email 5662 9200 [email protected]. VicRoads Stan Wright - 5134 3373 or 0407 862 825 or email our newsletter editor Dianne Godden at 131170 [email protected]

Bass Coast Police Service Area Road Statistics 2010 2011 2012

Fatal 5 8 3 Morwell RSL Serious Inj 82 81 18

APRIL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

FOSTER CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM FISH CREEK TO )

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for April (Nil March) - Unknown offenders smashed the window of a vehicle parked in Hall Rd between 4pm and 5pm on 8th April. th BURGLARY - 1 for April (1 March) - Unknown offenders smashed a window of a unit in Winchester St overnight 5 April and stole a TV and VCR from the unit. THEFT - 1 for April (Nil March) - A laptop computer was stolen from a bag whilst the victim was asleep on a bus. KORUMBURRA CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM TO KARDELLA)

ASSAULT - 2 for April (1 March) - Two offenders charged. BURGLARY - 2 for April (2 March) - Police are making follow up enquires in relation to a burglary at Heather’s Café overnight 5th April whilst unknown offenders were disturbed at the Bowls Club when the alarm activated overnight 23rd April. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for April (Nil March) - Unknown offenders removed a set of number plates from a vehicle in the Austral Hotel car park sometime between 16th and 19th April. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for April (2 March) THEFT - 2 for April (2 March) - A set of fishing rods was stolen from the rear yard of a residence in Queen St between 1st and 6th April whilst a chainsaw was taken from an unlocked shed in Rowes Rd, Ranceby between the 15th and 19th of April.

LEONGATHA DISTRICT CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM LEONGATHA SOUTH TO HALLSTON)

ATTEMPTED MURDER - One offender charged with attempted murder as a result of a family violence incident on 1st April. ROBBERY - Nil for April (1 for March) ASSAULT - 1 for April (5 for March)- One offender charged with unlawful assault as a result of a family violence incident. ARSON - Nil for April (1 for March) th th PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for April (7 for March) - Sometime between 5 and 7 April unknown offenders damaged the doors of a real estate agency in Bair St. BURGLARY - 1 for April (4 for March) - Sometime between 11th an d 14th April unknown offenders forced the window of a residence in Peart St stealing a games console and some games. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for April (Nil for March) - Sometime between 13th and 15th April unknown offenders stole a wheel from a vehicle outside the SES depot in Watson Rd. The vehicle had been donated to the SES for Jaws of Life drills. A car badge was stolen from a vehicle in the car park of a church in Brumley St.

LOCH DISTRICT CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM TO POOWONG TO JEETHO TO KROWERA)

ASSAULTS - 1 for April (2 March) - One offender charged with common law assault as a result of a family violence incident. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for April (1 March) - One offender charged with criminal damage as a result of a family violence incident. st th BURGLARY - 1 for April (1 March) - Sometime between 1 and 5 April unknown offenders jemmied a door on the Nyora Winery, The Gurdies and stole a CD player, binoculars and a telescope. THEFT - 2 for April (1 March) - One offender charged with theft during April whilst police are following up a suspect in relation to a theft in Drouin Rd, Poowong.

MEENIYAN AND DISTRICT CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM KOONWARRA TO DOLLAR TO STONY CREEK)

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for April (Nil March) - Overnight on 24th April unknown offenders stole a purse from an unlocked vehicle parked in a rural driveway. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for April (Nil March) - The only vehicle stolen during April has been recovered.

SANDY POINT CRIME REPORT For the second month in a row no crime was reported at Sandy Point. MIRBOO NORTH CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES FROM DELBURN TO MARDAN)

ARSON - 1 for April (Nil March) - A stolen vehicle was located burnt out. PROPERTY DAMAGE - Nil for April (4 March) BURGLARY - Nil for April (1 March) THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for April (1 March) THEFT - Nil for April (1 March)

TOORA CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES HEDLEY AND PORT WELSHPOOL)

ASSAULT - Nil for April (1 March) PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for April (1 March) – Overnight on 5th April unknown offenders used an object to smash two windows at the Pier Port Hotel, Port Welshpool. BURGLARY - Nil for April (1 March) THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for April (Nil March) - The only vehicle stolen during April was recovered.

OUTSTANDING STOLEN VEHICLES REPORT THE LOCATION OF THESE VEHICLES TO POLICE If you see a vehicle being stolen or dumped, call 000 immediately and ask for police.. If you know where a vehicle may be located contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au POLICE ADVISE THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO APPROACH THE OFFENDERS. INSTEAD CALL POLICE ON 000. REGO YEAR MAKE BODY COLOUR STOLEN FROM DATE RECOVERED STOLEN XLJ279 2009 Ford Sedan Grey Pioneer Bay 9th March PZL274 1999 Ford Station Wagon Red Korumburra 12th March Queensland GASTHJ 1972 Holden Ute Blue 17th March SIK341 1980 Land Rover Tray Grantville 1/3-6/4/12 QVM116 1988 Isuzu Van Red & White Trafalgar 16th April TEN439 2004 Iveco Van White Wonthaggi 29th April

Copies of the Suspicious Incident Report may be downloaded at the Neighbourhood Watch Website at http://www.nhw.com.au/Eastern-Region/Bass-Coast/Forms

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS - SECURE PROPERTY IN UTE TRAYS

Theft of property left un-secured in the trays of utilities is an ongoing problem for police. Professional thieves take less than 60 seconds to break into cars and steal the property that is often in plain sight. The time is reduced when the property is unsecured and is easily accessible in the trays of utilities.

The opportunistic thief, such as the one walking past your car when it is parked in the street, will not hesitate when it is as simple as reaching into the tray and walking on with your property in his or her hands. They will do this or note the location of your vehicle and return later, usually after dark, to commit their theft. When they return they will often do it with another person or in a vehicle of their own so they can steal more of your property.

To lessen the chances of property being stolen from your ute;

Park off the street and in a well-lit area at night. When parking your vehicle avoid parking too close to walls, fences or vegetation, which might provide cover for the thief. Remove property from the tray and secure it in the cab or other location. At the very least cover property with a canvas tarpaulin. Preferably install a lockable fixed canopy or tool box to the tray, making sure they are locked when you are not with the vehicle. Consider marking or engraving your tools/property with the letter ‘V’ for ‘Victoria’ and your driver’s licence number. Do not hide your valuables upon arrival as thieves could be monitoring the area. Place handbags/ wallets/GPS Units etc out of sight prior to parking. Do not leave loose change within view as thieves damage vehicles to steal small amounts of money. PROPERTY INVENTORIES AND PROPERTY MARKING

‘Property marking’ or ‘property engraving’, previously referred to as ‘Operation Identification’ is a very simple crime prevention strategy which assists in lowering the crime rate and helps community members avoid becoming the victims of a crime. Police encourage individuals and business to compile property inventories and mark property with the owner’s unique identification mark.

The purpose behind compiling a property inventory is so you have a compact and quickly accessible information source detailing the property you own.

The purpose behind placing an identifying mark on your property is to discourage theft and to assist police in the identification and return of your property in the unfortunate event you are the victim of a burglary, robbery or theft. Marked property is less attractive to the thief and is harder to sell.

Most items can be marked with an electric engraver. Items sensitive to the vibration of an engraver or which may have its warranty voided if engraved, may be marked with an ultraviolet pen. The pens leave a chemical that is visible under an Ultra-Violet (UV) Light, but which is invisible to the naked eye. Items, which are unsuitable for marking due to their size, unique value, fragility or age, can be photographed next to a ruler or other object so a size comparison may be gauged.

Before deciding to engrave an item read your warranty to make sure you are not causing the warranty to be declared null and void.

The most accepted and easily deciphered and recognised unique identification mark for most adult Australians is your driver’s licence number. Victorians engrave their property with letter ‘V’ for Victoria before the number, New South Wales residents engrave ‘NSW’, South Australians use ‘SA’ and so on ie V12345678, NSW12345678, SA12345678 etc.

If a person does not yet have a licence number they can use that of a relative, in the case of a child usually the parent, or friend from whom they have obtained permission to use the unique identifying number.

Victoria Police has 24 hour access to licence numbers so if your property is stolen, the chances of items being returned to you by the police are increased.

If you use an ultra-violet marking pen, remember that it fades over time and this can limit the protection it provides. In this case remember to check the marking from time to time and reapply when necessary.

When inventorying and marking household or business property do not forget about items you keep outside in carports, garages, tool and garden sheds and equipment stored in boats, utilities or the boots of other vehicles.

To increase the security and protection of your property when marking; Complete the Neighbourhood Watch Property Inventory attached to this newsletter; When filling in the inventory remember to note identifying features such as scratches or dents; Borrow an engraver from your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator or purchase an ultra violet pen; Take photographs of all items and consider videoing the contents of each room so property can be described from pictures rather than memory; Ensure your driver's licence address details are current. Businesses can use the business name or use the owner’s licence number; Mark each item in a similar area eg. power cord entry, adjacent to serial number. Photograph items which are not suitable for engraving such as jewellery or paintings using a ruler or coin for size comparison; If you choose attach a label ‘Item marked for Identification’ which you can make on your home computer. Regularly overwrite items marked with an ultra violet (UV) pen. If you sell or dispose of the property remember to cross through the identification number or give the new owner a sales receipt, especially if you sell to a second hand dealer. Obtain valuations for unique or valuable possessions; Store the property inventories, valuations, photographs in a safe place;

Further copies the Neighbourhood Watch Property Inventory may be downloaded at the Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Website at http://www.nhw.com.au/Eastern-Region/Latrobe/Crime-Watch-Newsletters

THE NATIONAL PUBLIC TOILET MAP The National Public Toilet Map (the Toilet Map) shows the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across . Details of toilet facilities can also be found along major travel routes and for shorter journeys as well. Useful information is provided about each toilet, such as location, opening hours, availability of baby change rooms, accessibility for people with disabilities and the details of other nearby toilets.