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