Home raid terrifies social worker
DIANNE Spencer was asleep when a thief broke into her Burnside home and stole her handbag.
The social worker lost her diary, purse and two weeks' rent she'd struggled to save.
Ms Spencer did not know someone had entered her home until the next morning when she found her door had been opened.
The break and enter was one of many Sunshine Coast Police work to solve daily.
Detective Senior Sergeant Daren Edwards said there was an an ongoing problem with people not securing their homes or vehicles at night.
"We are continually attending break and enters where people are leaving doors and security doors unlocked and leaving property in places that can be viewed by offenders," Snr Sgt Edwards said.
"This entices them to commit break and enters or in some cases 'sneak' type offences whilst people are watching television in other areas of their home."
In Ms Spencer's case the house was locked but the thieves broke in.
She said only her handbag was taken.
"It looks like they jemmied the sliding door and exited out the back door," she said.
"It is absolutely frightening to think someone was in my house while I slept and that I didn't know."
The break-ins have also been happening at accommodation and resorts on the Coast, with offenders climbing onto balconies and entering unlocked sliding doors.
"Simple things which indicate you are not home are when the lights are off or there is no movement around a home," Snr Sgt Edwards said.
" If you are going away let neighbours know, and provide contact numbers. Every step assists crime prevention."-
