TALK of vigilante groups patrolling the western suburbs after dark has drawn a cautionary response from Frankston police.
Residents there are reportedly so fed up with the rising tide of aggravated burglaries and carjackings that they are taking the law, literally, into their own hands – many with baseball bats and other weapons.
And posts on The Times’ Facebook page at Bayside News show a similar sentiment here, with some readers wanting to know the law of self-defence against an intruder in their home.
“After the increase in break-ins to steal car keys and aggravated burglaries, it would be helpful to know,” a reader said.
Police statistics show that just 6 per cent of all burglaries are aggravated – meaning someone is at home – and that 15 per cent of home invasions actually involve a confrontation.
Frankston police caution against any shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later approach. They urge residents to call triple zero immediately if they feel threatened or if they witness a crime.
Inspector Nigel McGuire-White said having an offensive weapon in the house – and being in a position to use it effectively – were two different things.
“You may just be handing the offender a weapon if he finds it first, without even going into possible legal issues,” he warned.
“We are trying to get residents to understand that there are broader issues at stake, and, having a weapon could be a recipe for disaster.”
He said the best defence was “putting barriers in front of an offender” – such as making it hard for them to gain entry, or, if they do, not having anything of value within easy reach.
“Many robberies are opportunistic,” he said.
“To avoid them, homeowners should ensure they lock their cars, doors and windows, and install deadlocks, security doors and sensor lights. They should call police if they are concerned.”
“Our message is clear – residents’ safety and the safety of their families is our number 1 priority.”
Police also recommend people lock their cars while they are driving, and try to park in a secure area.
Those involved in an accident should check their surroundings before getting out of their car. If they do not feel safe they should write down the registration number of the other car and call police immediately. They should take note of the other driver’s appearance in case a description is needed later.
Police provide online fact sheets on some of the most common crimes, including car theft, theft from cars and home burglaries.
They are available in languages other than English at police.vic.gov.au online.
