Joanne Mutsaerts, Melton Neighbourhood Policing Co-ordinator
With more people back out in the community after the easing of pandemic restrictions, Melton police would like to remind residents about safety precautions the community should follow to avoid being a victim of theft.
Police are on duty at all times of the day and night, actively patrolling areas such as local shopping strips, gyms and public transport hubs. We do this to provide a visible presence to detect and deter crime, and be able to provide an agile response to any incidents that occur.
However, police cannot be on every street corner, so it is important to be aware of simple steps to take, in order to protect belongings.
Most thefts in public occur when valuables are clearly visible, when the owner is distracted or when items are left unattended. The most common items thieves are attracted to are phones, wallets, money, handbags and computers.
Police ask the community to always ensure they are alert and aware of their surroundings. Never leave your items unattended, whether it be at the gym or the shops.
If you are the victim of theft, it’s important to not approach the thief and report the matter immediately. If you are feeling unsafe, ring Triple-0 for an immediate police response.
If you don’t feel you’re in danger and police are not immediately required, such as if you realise you left your wallet behind at a shop and it is now gone, this can be reported to the Police Assistance Line by calling 131 444 or by visiting www.police.vic.gov.au.
In the event your mobile phone or electronic devices are stolen, there are certain identifying features that will help police locate these to assist you in an insurance claim. Every mobile phone has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and wireless headphones or cordless phones will have a serial number. Ensure you have these numbers noted down somewhere outside of your phone, so you can provide it to your service provider and they can render your phone useless if it is stolen.
