The Gold Coast District is committed to keeping the community safe and are running operation Luminous focusing on proactive strategies to reduce the rate of crime as well as youth re-offending within the District.
Part of this operation includes targeting offenders that use public transport to commit offences and speaking to the public about their personal safety and educating them to have awareness of their surroundings when in transport hubs, central business and public areas and shopping centres.
Police want to remind and educate the public about techniques on how to increase your personal safety. Some tips include
- Wearing headphones or using mobile phones while walking reduces your awareness. This can make you vulnerable to an attack;
- Appear confident, with positive body language to look streetwise rather than fearful
- Be aware and alert of your surroundings at all times;
- Listen to, trust and act on your instincts. This is your warning to get to safety before an incident occurs;
- If you sense danger from a person, object or place remove yourself immediately to a safe place;
- Do what is required to preserve your safety ie: run, scream, negotiate, call for help, and only use physical self defence as your last resort;
- If something occurs do your best to get a good description of the offender and report all incidents to the police as soon as possible; and
- If you observe suspicious or threatening behaviour call police on 000.
The police in partnership with Glink had a great win whilst out on the operation on April 11 in Southport.
A member of the public had accidentally left his wallet on the tram with his weeks wages inside and was extremely distraught when he realised after leaving the tram.
Senior Constable Tracey Clouston spoke to the following tram driver and had an alert sent immediately to the Glink staff to search the tram.
The wallet was found and two Glink officers travelled back to Southport to return the wallet to the gentleman who was extremely grateful of the effort by the police and the Glink staff.
He showed his appreciation by hugging the officer.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.