WHILE theft and burglaries across the country are on the decline, police still urge residents to secure their property.
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That's because many such crimes are opportunistic, where an offender sees an open window, or garage door left open, and takes a chance.
Police in all states can advise on best practice when it comes to reducing your risks.
Above are tips provided by police in NSW, where 2983 households were the target of thefts and burglaries in 2016-17 (according to latest data compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Before considering how to secure your property, walk around your home and check for any places where someone might make an unwelcome entry.
Unsecured windows and doors are easy targets but think about unwelcome access through an open garage or carport, especially those with direct access to your home or back garden.
Ensuring your property is secured before taking a holiday is important, since homes that appear to be vacant are easy targets for potential burglars.
Victoria Police provide a Partysafe program, where you can register your absence with the local police.
Get your neighbour to collect mail while you're away and to water the garden, for an appearance of your home being occupied.
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Another tip is having a dog on your premises as a deterrent.
Even small dogs deter burglars because they will bark at something unusual.
Burglars and thieves do not respect postcodes; rural residents should also consider securing their property and belongings, particularly farmers.
Each state has rural crime prevention units and all deliver the same message: protect your farm from trespass, protect your farm equipment and protect your livestock and grain.
Rural crime costs millions of dollars annually. Fuel theft is becoming a bigger concern for rural landowners, who are advised to think of ways of monitoring fuel useage.
Simple ways of securing your property include locking doors and windows, (think deadlocks and window bars) using solar powered lights in your garden at night, setting up a security system and importantly, securing your wireless router.
This is often the gateway to our personal and financial information.
