23 February, 2018 | Safety and Security

Download the Home Safe Brochure
Home should be a place where you and your family can enjoy safety and security.
Criminals are often opportunists, and will will target homes with poor home security to steal belongings.
You can secure your home by taking a few simple steps which will significantly lower the risk of your home being the target of thieves.
Here are some simple steps we all can take to protect our home.
Secure your home
- Fit quality security doors, windows, locks, alarms, lighting and warning signs
- Secure all windows and doors
- Activate your alarm, smoke detectors and security lighting
- Lock your gates, sheds and garages
Check your home
- Ensure your street number is clearly visible
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to improve visibility around your home
- Lock away items such as ladders, tools and gardening equipment
- Don’t leave spare keys outside the home
- Don’t leave valuables, mobile devices or keys (home or vehicle) in clear view
- Mark valuable property and record details
When away from home
- Use a timer to activate an internal light or radio to give the impression someone is home
- Have family, a trusted friend or neighbour check on your home. Inform them of your travel plans, park a vehicle in the driveway, collect the garbage bins and mail
- Consider redirecting your mail, newspapers and deliveries
- Never advertise your travel on social media sites
For further information about protecting your home, please download the Home Safe brochure.
For more crime prevention information visit www.police.nsw.gov.au
24 October, 2017 | Safety and Security
As hordes of children, or ghouls, vampires, zombies or whatever the case may be, prepare to head out onto the streets this Halloween, the NSW Police have provided some advice on ensuring children remain safe.
NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Crime Prevention, Chief Superintendent Brad Shepherd, said with more and more children celebrating Halloween in New South Wales it is a timely reminder to provide everyone with some simple guidelines to ensure ‘trick or treating’ activities are done safely.
“Younger children should always be supervised by a parent, carer or responsible adult at all times.”
“It is important to recognise that not everyone celebrates Halloween each year — so it is best to stick to houses with decorations on their properties.”
Police will not tolerate damage to property.
“While it is an exciting time for everyone, remember to be aware of your surroundings and take extra care when crossing roads and driveways,” Ch Supt Shepherd said.
“If you’re a parent or carer heading out to join in the ‘trick or treating’ fun, make sure your house is locked and secure.”
It’s also a good idea to drive with extra care around the neighbourhood, as there will be a lot of excited kids around the streets and they may forget to look out for cars and bikes. “
Halloween safety tips for big kids
- Tell your parents or a responsible adult where you’re going and what time you’ll be home;
- Be respectful of your neighbours;
- Remain in familiar well-lit areas in your neighbourhood and don’t take short cuts;
- Be sure to stick to the footpaths and take extra care when crossing driveways or roads;
- Stay with your friends at all times and carry a mobile phone when ‘trick or treating’ in case of emergency;
- If you’re riding a bike or using a skateboard, ensure you’re wearing a helmet;
- Under no circumstances should you get into a vehicle with someone you don’t know; and,
- Don’t ever enter a stranger’s home, even if they invite you inside.”
A reminder on Useful Phone Numbers:
Tweed Heads Police Station: 07 5506 9499
Police Assistance Line: 131 444
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
In the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
28 November, 2016 | State News
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Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest, has welcomed the announcement that new Plain English Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO) will roll out statewide on 3 December so perpetrators have no excuses for not understanding the orders.
“These new ADVOs use clear and simple language so there is no excuse for a domestic violence perpetrator to breach an order.”, Mr Provest said.
“We have removed all the complex legal jargon and spelled out a defendant’s obligations in Plain English, so they can no longer claim they didn’t understand the meaning or consequences of the ADVO.”
“The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that one in five ADVOs are breached, and the NSW Government is making it clear – any breach is an unacceptable risk.”
“The new ADVOs are designed to put a stop to violence, intimidation and harassment through a clear explanation of what a perpetrator can and cannot do under the order.”
The new ADVO is also being translated into 29 different languages to assist people whose first language is not English.
In addition, the penalties for breaching an order, including up to two years in prison, have been moved to the top of the document so it’s now the first thing perpetrators see.
Chief Executive Officer of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, welcomed the introduction of Plain English ADVOs as a critical step to strengthen the safety of women.
“ADVOs are powerful tools but must be easily accessible and understood to ensure they are effective. We commend the NSW Government on this initiative,” Ms Davies said.
In addition, the NSW Government’s recent changes to ADVOs means final ADVO applications can be determined even if the victim doesn’t come to court, they will protect a victim’s current partner if they are being harassed by the victim’s ex-partner, and will stop self-represented defendants from personally cross-examining child witnesses during ADVO applications.
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1 August, 2016 | National News

National Missing Persons Week – first week in August
One person goes missing every 15 minutes in Australia, more than 35,000 people are reported missing each year, and more than 2,000 people are currently listed as a long-term missing person.
It is a common myth in the community that people have to wait 24 hours to report a person as missing—this is not the case. Report your concerns to police immediately.
Most people reported missing to police are located within a short period of time. Of those reported, more than 95 per cent are located within one week and 99.5 per cent of all missing persons are eventually located. While the majority of those reported are located, a significant number of people, approximately 1600, remain missing long-term (for more than three months).
Anyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or educational background, may become a missing person; however, adults are more likely to be listed as long-term missing persons.
For more information, and to view profiles of missing persons in Australia, visit www.missingpersons.gov.au.
4 February, 2016 | Safety and Security
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Have you heard the expression SOFT BREAK AND ENTER?
Recently, when speaking with our local Crime Prevention Officer, he explained that SOFT BREAK AND ENTER means a thief entering a home without forced entry. This comes about by household residents not securing their home correctly, leaving garage doors open, not securing the door from the garage to the house interior or otherwise leaving an entry point for criminals to enter by.
You have heard folk say, “It will not happen to me” and unfortunately it can.
This bad habit by householders means that money, handbags, vehicle keys or anything of value could be stolen, or even worse, come face to face with the person who wants to steal your property or even harm you.
You would have often heard the Police and NHW Volunteers use the expression LOCK IT OR LOSE IT. While this tends to apply to vehicle security it’s just as relevant (or more so) to your own home. This is not a slogan we take lightly and neither should householders; even when at home.
Residents, when home day or night, should secure their home. Make sure when you are in the backyard to ensure front of house is secured, that windows & doors are all locked, EVEN ON HOT DAYS. If you don’t have security screens fitted to your windows or doors then we strongly suggest inquiring into obtaining some.
It goes without saying when retiring for the night to check all entry points to make sure they are secure. We would even suggest double-checking. If you have children then also secure their bedroom windows. It has been known that intruders have gained entry to the home through a child’s bedroom window.
Now you know how important it is when we say LOCK IT OR LOSE IT. Practise good home security for your peace of mind and those in your household. Don’t let your neighbourhood become known as a soft target area
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