TRADIES have been warned to lock up their vans, with more than $1 million of tools being reportedly stolen in Melbourne’s south-east in the past year.
Sergeant Brad Johnstone, of Southern Metro Proactive Policing Unit, says opportunistic thieves had targeted tradies’ unsecured tools during the crime spate in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong in the 2015-’16 financial year.
“While this isn’t a new problem for us we have seen a recent spike particularly in the areas of Berwick, Narre Warren and Endeavour Hills,” Sgt Johnstone said.
“Most cases involve thieves who roam residential streets overnight searching for easy targets like an unsecured trailer.
“Unfortunately, tools are easy to steal, and can be sold for cash, often to other tradies.”
Police will educate tradies on how best to keep their tools “nailed down”, Sgt Johnstone said.
“The inconvenience for an individual when the tools vital to their trade are stolen is huge,” Sgt Johnstone said.
“The reality is that a number of these crimes can be reduced by some simple preventative measures.”
Among the tips are to park tool-laden vehicles in a garage overnight, if possible and lock the vehicles whenever unattended – even at worksites.
Police also advise tradies to use visible locks, such as hardened steel padlock, shackle protectors and chains to secure tools and toolboxes, as well as toolbox and vehicle alarms.
Utility owners are advised to bolt down a sturdy, lockable ute toolbox to store their implements.
Tools should be engraved or marked with the letter V followed by the vehicle’s licence number.
Report suspicious behaviour to triple-zero or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
