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(By Christina Huntingdon - Bond University Journalism student)
LOCAL officers at Robina Police Station are pleading with Varsity Lakes residents to help decrease crime rates around Christmas.
Police said this week simple procedures such as failing to lock a front door is a common mistake, but said it is a dangerous one to make.
Senior Constable Ellie Chiverall said residents needed to be more vigilant about their own security.
“Home security is very important, especially locking your front door,” she said.
“Some people don’t actually lock their doors with a key, and it is so easy to break in when this happens.”
Varsity Lakes resident Alex Teixeira said his car has been broken into twice and his house once in the 10 years he has lived on the Gold Coast.
“There are a lot of people on the streets and it is a bit more dangerous around Christmas time,” he said.
“I have generally found Varsity Lakes to be pretty safe though, compared to other suburbs such as Miami.”
Senior Constable Chiverall reminded locals to never leave a driver’s licence unattended in the car.
“Thieves only need the minor details on your driver’s licence to commit fraud,” she said.
Crime rates over Christmas increase by 30 per cent on average, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“Always travel in groups of two around Christmas and New Years,” said Senior Constable Chiverall.
Varsity Lakes resident Tina Hey said she would be taking extra precautions this year to decrease theft risks.
“I’ll definitely keep my house locked at all times this year.
“It’s just not worth the risk,” she said.
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