Tenterfield Police sergeant James Boaden said there has been no recent surge in break-and-enters despite local perception, at least that has been reported to police. He implored anyone affected by crime to make an official report so that the matter can be logged and dealt with.
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"If we don't know, we can't act on it," he said.
One recent break-and-enter in Railway Street that was reported involved the homeowner waking to find three youths standing over her. The doors were locked but they had gained access through a window. They have not yet been identified.
There have been theft incidents involving four cars, which fall under the 'steal from vehicle' category, in the past few weeks that Sgt Boaden is aware of. Only two of these were officially reported.
Of the four vehicles, three were unlocked, which if nothing else can make insurance claims more difficult. Sgt Boaden urged drivers to lock their vehicles as they leave them, and to take any valuables with them.
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Local police had wins last week in bringing travellers to justice for attempting to transport stolen goods and drugs through the district. Sgt Boaden said in both cases the Queensland offenders had expected to be let off on a bond with their guilty pleas, but instead were locked up.
Around 3am last Thursday, May 2, police stopped a vehicle on the New England Highway south of Tenterfield. Police spoke to the male driver aged in his late 20s who initially refused to supply his details.
Checks revealed that the vehicle was stolen from Ipswich on April 29. A search of the vehicle revealed a number of knives, various stolen items and some personal papers which enabled police to identify the driver, who was unlicensed.
The man was charged with six offences and bail-refused to Armidale Local Court. There he entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with a nine-month non-parole period.
Around 10.30pm later the same day, a 29-year-old male from Ipswich was stopped for an random breath test and random drug test in Rouse Street, Tenterfield. He tested positive to methamphetamine.
A subsequent search of the vehicle located 4.06grams of 'meth', scales and a number of deal bags. The man was charged with supplying drugs and bail-refused to Armidale on May 3 where he entered a plea of guilty to these charges. He was also sentenced to a 12-month prison term, with nine months non-parole.
If you get caught by me, you're going to get done for drug dealing.
- Sergeant James Boaden
"It shows that if you get caught by me, you're going to get done for drug dealing," Sgt Boaden said.
The contact number for Tenterfield Police is (02) 6736 1144. If the station is unattended due to officers being out on patrol, the call will be automatically put through to officers in Armidale.
In urgent cases dial 000.
