Campaign urges Torquay drivers to park smart

TORQUAY police have reacted to a spike in thefts in car-related crime in the area by launching an awareness campaign with Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Surf Coast.
NHW Surf Coast co-ordinator David Cheatley said the spike began in May, with car owners reporting eight thefts of motor vehicles and 11 thefts of goods from mainly unlocked cars to local police.
“It is very disappointing that we still believe we can be so casual about our attitudes to these crimes despite the many reminders to residents over a 15-year period.
“This is a drain on our community resources not to mention the costs to owners in recovering their losses.”
There have been further thefts reported in the past two weeks in streets in the vicinity of Empire Avenue, Alexandra Avenue and the Bells Beach car park.
NHW Surf Coast and Torquay police have teamed up in Operation “Park Smart” in an attempt to stop the spike.
The initiative is rolling out signs in supermarkets, outside the post office, and corflute signs at short periods where crimes have occurred, to warn residents to be vigilant.
Leaflets are also being placed under car windscreen wipers and letter boxes as a further warning.
Mr Cheatley said billboards were also being set up on the Surf Coast Highway from Monday this week to further dissuade opportunistic thieves from treating the Torquay community as “easy targets”.
“They well know we are complacent with these types of crimes.”
The “Park Smart” initiative is promoting a “lock it, remove it or lose it” message.