Chris Dobney
Residents of Terrace Reserve Holiday Park at Brunswick Heads are taking extra care with security after a spate of break-ins in the park, including robberies conducted in rooms where residents were asleep.
According to information received by Echonetdaily, the robberies are taking place between 2am and 3am, with a similar modus operandi, including slashing snibbed screen doors to gain entry in situations where solid doors have been left open during warmer weather.
Echonetdaily is aware of at least three instances where this technique was used. In all cases the matter was reported to police and in all cases mobile phones, money and cashcards were taken.
One residence was broken into twice, the first time via the front screen door and later via the entrance from the adjacent garage. On the second occasion the resident had taken valuables to her bedroom, where they were stolen while she was sleeping.
A spokesperson for North Coast Holiday Parks management declined to say whether the Terrace had increased security patrols as a result of the break-ins.
Colin Woodbury told Echonetdaily, ‘we have onsite managers and [external] lighting but we can only slow them down; we can’t stop them. A security safety audit has been conducted and everybody’s trying to work together.’
But, he said, ‘if somebody wants something badly enough, they’re going to do it [break in]’.
Mr Woodbury added that the matter was now in the hands of the police.
Echonetdaily was told one break-in was aborted after two people illuminated by a cigarette lighter were spotted in a caravan annexe and ran off. One was described as a blond male youth.
According to one resident, Brunswick Heads police said they had a suspect but so far no charges have been laid.
Other petty thefts have been reported in the town, including just this week the removal of a skateboard and skate shoes on successive nights from the back veranda of a ground-floor unit in Booyung Street.
Police say they have received a number of complaints that are being investigated. If anyone has witnessed any suspicious activity or have any knowledge in relation to the incidents they are encouraged to contact Brunswick Heads Police or CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.
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