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Gone in 10 seconds

A WOMAN recently contacted my colleague Anne with the sad story of how she had her handbag stolen at Woolies. Her mother’s wedding ring and jewellery were in the bag, and they are all she wants back.

Just last weekend, a good friend of mine double parked his car to run into his local dry cleaners to pick something up. As soon as he got in the doorway, he realised he left his wallet in his car but when he turned to fetch it, the three-week-old car had been stolen. He had just done all of his Christmas shopping for his family so not only did he lose his car and his wallet, but God knows how much money worth of quality pressies for his loved ones. The car has since been spotted by police at Parramatta, involved in what they are only saying was an ‘incident’.

Touch wood, I have never had something stolen like a handbag or, thank goodness, a car, but when this topic comes up, I can guarantee you everyone has a story.

The fact is, some people just cannot avoid temptation and often their motives are very sad ones that have overtaken their lives.

I reckon you can blame almost all crime, in some way or another, on drugs.

I am being totally subjective here, but hey, that’s what a blog is for.

I am going to assume that the idiot that stole my friend’s car stole it so they could sell it on, or sell the parts on, or use it to steal something. And what will they buy with that money? Drugs.

The poor lady’s stolen handbag, the contents of that were probably dumped in a bush and only the cash from her wallet taken. And what for? Drugs.

The people that go and shoot other people, what are they under the influence of? Drugs. The people that are running from the cops, stuck in gangs, mixing with the wrong people, committing crime to get by, what are they all, in some way or another tied up with? Drugs.

Obviously, this issue really gets up my goat.

But regardless of the motives of these crimes, the sad fact is, we all have to be so very vigilant with our possessions and belongings, especially as we head into Christmas.

NRMA Insurance claims research shows that four out of five break-ins occur when the home is empty.

A couple of years ago, the NRMA released the burglar’s top 10 Christmas wish list:

1. Jewellery

2. Games consoles and games

3. Household electrical (TV, DVD players, video recorders, home stereo, radios etc)

4. Cameras and accessories

5. Computers and equipment

6. Tools, garage and garden equipment

7. Mobile phones and accessories

8. Cash

9. CDs and DVDs

10. Video cameras and camcorders

Have you ever had anything stolen?

What are your top safety tips for Christmas?

Rebecca.richar dson@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when they are Christmas shopping is to walk back to their car with their arms loaded with bags of new, expensive gifts, only to very obviously put them in their car and walk back to the shops to buy more! Shoppers who do this are just asking to have their cars broken into, and all their carefully chosen gifts stolen.
Posted by Careful shopper, 3/12/2009 9:57:58 AM, on Liverpool Champion
Rebecca is on the money with this blog. Unfortunately, theft is on the rise all year round but at Xmas it's worse. I agree the problems is drugs and people addicted will go to any length to steal and plunder from decent and hard working people or the elderly in our society
Posted by wary shopper, 3/12/2009 11:30:45 AM, on Liverpool Champion
I'm amazed when I go to the shops and see people who put their wallet down and look away, leave their handbags unattended, leave cars unlocked, etc. You think it will never happen to you but it only has to happen once and that is more than enough, like the man mentioned in this article. People need to be much more cognisant of the risks that really are out there.
Posted by Security aware, 4/12/2009 12:53:35 PM, on Liverpool Champion
Rebecca the ranter
Rebecca Richardson rants and raves about issues in the local news.
Out of sight: Don't tempt thieves this Christmas.
Out of sight: Don't tempt thieves this Christmas.

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