Connecting people and communities Williamstown, Altona, Laverton
Incorporating Star Real Estate
Tuesday, 21 January, 2014
A Star News Group publication Phone: 9933 4800
Williamstown
Connecting people
No. 563 50c inc. GST
and communities
www.
western
Snakes alive
Young authorr
Altona too good
PAGE 5
PAGE 9
SPORT
.com.au Tuesday, 21 January,
2014 Page 1
Property ty Lift outt
Beach thefts on rise By YASEMIN TALAT
No better time for barbie
IT’S time to put on your thongs, throw another snag on the barbie and enjoy the serenity. Australia Day is on this Sunday. There are plenty of events on across the West for you to enjoy and celebrate our great nation. Siblings, from left, Petra, Alex and Marcus Hansby got a head-start on celebrations last week. For more Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI information, see Page 3. 112716
1086663-LN33-13
A STRING of thefts at Williamstown and Altona beaches has prompted warnings for beach-goers. Police are warning beach-goers to be mindful of their possessions and not bring valuables to the beach or leave their things unattended. “What we’ve got a problem with is that people leave their valuables unattended on the beach while they go for a swim,” Sergeant Dean Howard from Altona North Police Station said. “We want people to take more care of their stuff.” Mobile phones and bags are hot property for thieves who watch and wait and seize the opportunities to steal. A dedicated crime impact team has been tasked this summer to patrol the beaches to limit thefts and curb any antisocial behaviour. Both plain clothes and uniformed police patrol the beaches on foot and in vehicles to combat these crimes. The team was out in full force again last week as thousands flocked to the beach to embrace Melbourne’s heatwave. And as the heat soared so did the number of thefts, with stolen property reports filed to police each day. Mobile phones, bags, wallets and credit cards were all among the stolen property. Sgt Howard has urged people to
be mindful when leaving their possession unattened; reminding them that if they wouldn’t leave their phone or bags unattended at Chapel St or other public places then they should not leave their valuables unattended at the beach either. He also warned that hiding phones under towels or in bags was not sufficient and the valuables could still be targeted. “People are watching, they watch you hide your phones and they watch you go into the water and then go get it,” he said. “Unless you have someone remaining with your personal items on the beach, don’t bring them to the beach.” A staggering 10 mobile phones were stolen from underneath the Altona Pier within 30 minutes on 2 December, one of the first of the summer offences. A female offender was processed by the Altona Crime Impact team for a handful of thefts. Sgt Howard said people needed to be actively aware and not bring their valuables to the beach to avoid being a victim. Anti-social behaviour was also being tackled by the team, with this type of behaviour at the beaches now at a low. “There has been less crime and significantly less antisocial behaviour this summer,” Sgt Howard said.
•CarRepairs/Rego•Phone/PowerBills•Rental/DentalBills•OtherPurposes 6, 9 or 12 Month Payment Plans WAGE EARNERS & CENTRELINK CLIENTS WELCOME Mobile Service – We come to you! Fast Loan Appraisals – Affordable Repayments
Phone
9376 8236 Mobile 0408 203 487 www.actioncashloans.com.au
Business Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–5pm or leave a message
Australian Credit Licence No: 393092
1048898-KG40-12
NEED CASH? TALK TO US NOW $500 TO $2000