Local businesses have been the target of callous thieves in the past week. On Saturday night, two premises at Waniora Parkway community shops were broken into. Last week several businesses were also victim to thieves in Port Macquarie’s industrial area, along with the Innes Lake Shopping Centre. Port Macquarie Police Acting Inspector Kim Fehon said, locally we “are experiencing an absolute spate of non-residential thefts”. “We have a dedicated team investigating the cases,” she said. Waniora Parkway shops’ Aussie Takeaway owner Stephen Matthews said it was disappointing that businesses do their best to support the community and then thieves knock them off their feet. He said he was told by Police that his popular eatery had been broken into on Saturday night at about 2.30am. The thieves jemmied open a side window to enter. He said they didn’t even smash the glass window but rather placed it on a chair. Lollies and drinks were stolen. “They were obviously looking for cash but we don’t leave any on the premises,” Mr Matthews said. “The only money was the Koala Hospital charity box, but they didn’t touch that.” Star Express supermarket was also targeted. Owner Stuart Symons said the back-to-base alarm went off at 2.37am. Thieves didn’t take anything and money in a safe remained untouched, he said. The alarm would have scared off the thieves, Mr Symons said.
In the industrial and Shopping Centre incidents, Police said entry was gained to most by either jemmying or smashing the front glass doors.
Varying amounts of cash were stolen from the locations. Scene of Crime Officers attended each site to conduct a physical examination of the crime scene.
Acting Insp Fehon said one of the problems had been people in surrounding areas ignoring alarms.
She encouraged businesses to work together and keep an ear and eye out for alarms and suspicious persons.
She said business owners can request to have a security assessment done by Police, also.
In general, Police reminded all business owners that security alarms need to be of a loud, audible type as well as back-to-base.
Business safes need to be bolted through walls and chemically bolted into floors, not just a chipboard cupboard, Police said.
Story: Kate Yates
