CRIME ALERT: Police warn of trailerboat theft

Queensland Police are reporting an alarming increase in the theft of poorly secured trailers, trailerboats, caravans and camper trailers across the Brisbane region.

Offenders are targeting trailered vehicles including tool trailers, camper trailers, trailered boats and caravans, particularly during the night.

Suburbs currently affected by the thefts include Cleveland, Redland Bay, Lota, Coorparoo, Morningside, Carina, Runcorn, Griffin, Holland Park West, Forest Lake, Bray Park, Sunnybank Hills, Rocklea, Aspley, Stafford, Yeerongpilly, Willawong, Brighton, Kallangur and Pine Rivers area.

However, the boom in trailerboat theft remains on a national scale, with insurance and police agencies posting photos of stolen rigs just about every day of the week.

Police are appealing for the community to secure trailers, camper trailers, trailerboats and caravans using security devices available through local hardware and vehicle accessory stores.

In most cases trailers were secured only by a chain and padlock and offenders have cut the chain and stolen the trailer. But of-the-shelf trailer locks like this aren't expensive and for $89 up to $249 are actually cheap insurance.

Trailer owners are urged to avoid leaving trailers parked in front yards or on the street, instead parking their trailer behind locked gates or inside a closed shed or garage, out of sight.

An alternate deterrent is for owners to park the trailer into a corner of a yard by blocking it with a parked vehicle making it difficult to steal.

Police recommend valuable items are removed from inside trailer or caravan. Items should be secured elsewhere in a locked garage. Police urge owners to review their trailer security immediately and consider:

If you witness suspicious activity at any time of day or night, contact police through Policelink 131 444. Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.