POLICE are urging Mount Cotton residents to lock their cars after a spate of unlawful entries and attempted entries into vehicles last week.
Redland Bay police said nine reports were received for incidents between Sunday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 9.
Cars targeted were parked on streets including Explorers Way, Sommelliers Street, Collaman Court and Settlers and Sarsenet circuits, with loose change, iPods and other property stolen from vehicles.
Bayside patrol crime prevention coordinator Sergeant Chris Hebblethwaite said one person was caught on CCTV unsuccessfully trying to open a car’s door.
Police are still investigating but believe the person may be linked to several of the unlawful entries reported.
Most of the cars targeted were not locked, Sergeant Hebblethwaite said.
“Besides the location, the one thing these cars all had in common was that they were not secured and items of value were left inside,” he said.
He said offenders who stole from cars were often “unsophisticated crooks” who moved from one vehicle to another, targeting unlocked cars.
He urged owners to secure their cars to avoid being stolen from.
Unlawful entry into vehicle offences and thefts from cars continued to be an ongoing problem.
“It is the largest offence group that we deal with, for property, across the bayside patrol group,” Sergeant Hebblethwaite said.
Those with information can contact Policelink on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
