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Personal safety and security at home and work

While the Redlands is a safe community, it is wise to take reasonable steps to protect yourself and your property.

On this page:

Being aware of crime

To reduce the likelihood of becoming a target of a crime:

  • be aware of your surroundings
  • be confident, as would-be thieves are easily intimidated
  • develop a network of people you trust and can contact in an emergency
  • carry only the amount of money you’re likely to need
  • hold bags close to your body and don't leave them in shopping trolleys
  • keep your bag between your feet, on your lap or in front of you on a table when at a restaurant, café or cinema
  • avoid walking alone at night - use safe transport or walk in a group
  • if you do walk alone, walk against the flow of traffic and keeping to well-lit streets where homes look occupied
  • trust your instincts - if you feel something is wrong, don't ignore it
  • seek help if you feel threatened
  • do additional research and formulate a personal safety plan
  • carry a mobile phone and, where possible, download the 'Emergency +' app.  

Support for victims of crime

If you've been a victim of crime, it is important to acknowledge your feelings and any physical, emotional or behavioural side-effects. It can help to talk with your family, friends or a health professional about your experience.

For free counselling and support contact the Victims of Crime Counselling Service on 1300 546 587. For other support services available in the Redlands search the My Community Directory.

Being safe at licensed venues

To stay safe at licensed venues and in situations where people consume alcohol:

  • know your alcohol limit and remain in control
  • plan ahead - decide how many drinks you will have and how you will get home
  • look after your friends and make sure they get home safely
  • know where building exits and security personnel are located
  • book a taxi rather than hailing one from the rank, as this creates a record of your journey
  • trust your instincts and seek help if you feel threatened
  • ask to be left alone if you receive unwanted attention from a person, and move to another area or advise a friend, an authority or security if they ignore your request.

Avoiding drink spiking

Drink spiking, or adding alcohol or drugs to a person's drink without their knowledge or consent, is illegal. Drinks are often spiked to lower the drinker's inhibitions, which often leads to sexual assault.

To avoid having your drink spiked:

  • never leave your drink unattended - if you do, throw the drink out when you return
  • bring your own drinks to parties
  • watch bartenders who make your drinks in bars or nightclubs
  • if someone offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with them and only accept it there
  • beware of anyone acting suspiciously and remember that offenders can be articulate, charming and confident
  • pay attention to your friends, particularly if they seem to have become unusually intoxicated very quickly.

Drink spiking and sexual assault are crimes you should report to the police. If you are a victim, but don’t want to make an official report, consider visiting your doctor. You can also visit or call Redlands Hospital on 3488 3111.

For free counselling and support phone the 24-hour Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120.

For educational resources contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Services on 38375989 or 1800 177 833.

Exercising safely

Redlands is a great place to be active and healthy, with many safe places where you can walk, cycle, play sport and enjoy outdoor exercise.

To maximise your safety when exercising: 

  • exercise with others
  • tell others where you are going and when you will return
  • carry a phone with you
  • alternate your routes
  • survey your surroundings and be aware of them
  • be assertive and confident - fear creates vulnerability
  • turn the volume down if wearing headphones - this will increase your ability to stay alert to your surroundings
  • secure your property
  • enjoy yourself.

Being safe when travelling

Public transport

To improve your safety on public transport:

  • let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return
  • check public transport timetables and plan your journey in advance to limit the amount of time you wait
  • always wait for your ride in busy, well-lit areas
  • on railway platforms, wait in the Core Safety Zone, marked by a blue and white striped line - this zone offers enhanced lighting and an emergency phone
  • sit on the bus/train/in the taxi wherever you feel most comfortable
  • if you are travelling alone, try to sit near the bus driver or a train guard.

See these related links:

Car travel

To improve your safety when travel in your car:

  • have your keys out and ready as you approach your car and be aware of your surroundings
  • try to remember to lock your car doors especially if driving alone
  • plan your route and tell someone where you are going
  • have a street directory or GPS and mobile phone with you in case you get lost
  • service your car regularly
  • if you often travel alone or at night, consider joining a breakdown assistance service and carry a mobile phone
  • if you have to leave your car to seek help, leave a note in your vehicle stating what time you’ve left and where you’re heading. Walk towards well-lit areas
  • do not pick up hitch-hikers or strangers
  • if someone approaches you saying they have broken down, stay in your vehicle and speak to them through a slightly open window and offer to phone RACQ or the Police on their behalf
  • park in well lit car parks/areas close to your destination
  • avoid leaving handbags or other valuables in your vehicle.

Holidays and long journeys

To improve your safety while on holidays:

  • never carry large amounts of cash when you travel
  • treat travellers cheques as you would do cash
  • don't leave your luggage unattended in airports, transit lounges or hotels - keep your luggage with baggage porters whenever possible
  • if you're not familiar with your travel destination, do some research and ask your travel agent or hotel staff about local crime and safety issues
  • find out the local number for emergency in foreign countries you visit.

Being safe in the heat

Take care of your health, particularly in the heat. When it is hot, make sure you keep windows and doors open, but secure, while inside.

Report a safety or security issue

Reporting urgent matters to Police

Call Triple Zero (000) if the matter is an emergency and you require a Police, Ambulance or Fire to attend immediately, because:

  • Crime is happening now.
  • Someone is seriously injured.
  • A life is threatened.
  • The offender is still in the area.

Reporting non-urgent matters to Police

If the incident is non-urgent, and you don’t require the Police, Ambulance or Fire to attend immediately, because:

  • Crime is not happening now.
  • Crime is not life-threatening, this includes:
    • Wilful property damage
    • Break and enter
    • Stealing offences
    • Stolen vehicles
    • Hooning incidents
    • Lost property (e.g. lost phone, wallet, jewellery etc.).

Non-urgent matters can be reported to Police in the following ways:

In person or by phoning your local Police Station:

Reporting non-police matters

Non-police matters can be reported to Council for action by phoning 07 3829 8999, these include:

  • Illegal dumping
  • Litter
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Shopping trolleys
  • Animal-related complaints
  • Potholes
  • Faulty street lights
  • Graffiti

Graffiti and vandalism of Council-owned property can be reported through Vandaltrak.

Learn more about vehicles that have been abandoned and impounded on Redlands Coast, including a list of currently impounded vehicles.

Stay up to date

To find out about community safety news subscribe to myPolice Bayside to read about news, local crime and alerts.

Connect with other community safety organisations.

Council's commitment to safety and security

To ensure Redland residents and visitors enjoy a high quality of life, free from the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour, Council:

  • provides residents with safety and security advice
  • reduces graffiti, vandalism and hooning
  • develops community safety networks
  • identifies and responds local crime trends, by consulting with local residents and Police
  • reduces the fear of crime
  • designs safe environments, and ensure new developments are safe and secure
  • targeted crime prevention projects & upgrades of existing public open space areas, including the installation of security cameras to minimise crime and anti-social behaviour 
  • improve the security of public facilities.

Council develops policies and projects to address crime-related issues in partnership with Queensland Police Service and many other government and non government agencies. For information on these projects, contact Council's Community Safety Team on 07 3829 8999 or Email CommunitySafety@redland.qld.gov.au

Also see Council's CDV-005-P Community Safety Policy [PDF, 0.1MB].

Bicycle and motor vehicle security

Council is working to help the community reduce opportunities for bicycle and vehicle theft. Follow these simple practices to keep your property safe and secure.

Secure your bicycle

  • Identify your bike by engraving it and alert potential thieves to this with a sticker
  • Keep a photograph of your bike with its details and special features
  • When left at home, lock your bike in a secure shed/garage or inside your home
  • Never leave your bike unattended or unlocked
  • When you lock your bike, secure it to something solid
  • Use a security device that is not easy to cut or removed
  • Secure your bike by the frame and back wheel - front wheels can be easily removed
  • Remove the front wheel (if possible) and secure it to the frame
  • Secure your bike in a busy, well-lit location where it can be seen
  • Do not leave accessories on your bike

Secure your motor vehicle

  • Remove your keys, close all windows and lock the vehicle when it's unattended 
  • Install an alarm and place a sticker on your vehicle to advertise this to would-be thieves 
  • Avoid leaving valuables or other attractive items in your vehicle - even if it's parked at home  
  • Open glove boxes, ashtrays and storage spaces to indicate there's nothing of value hidden away  
  • Park your vehicle in public areas that are busy and well-lit at night
  • Install sensor lights at your home that alerts you to trespassing
  • If you have an older model vehicle, install an engine immobiliser  
  • Ensure that the keys and spare keys are stored out of sight or obvious locations within your home
  • Close your garage door fully as garage doors that are not fully closed can provide access to your vehicles for thieves

How you can help

Everyone can help prevent crime in our community. If a crime is in progress, please call 000. Secure your property and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

  • To report a crime that's occurred on your property, call Policelink 13 14 44.
  • If you have information that can help police solve a crime, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (anonymous reporting).

Do you have ideas on how to prevent theft from motor vehicles? Has your car been broken into and had items stolen? Your thoughts and experiences can help council prevent crime. Email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au to tell us more.

Security at home

Tips for securing your home

To secure your home and reduce the possibility of a break and enter: 

  • close and secure windows
  • use triple-locks on doors and don’t leave a key in screen doors
  • never 'hide' a key outside your home
  • fit a viewer on solid doors – don't let strangers enter your home
  • when people approach your door, check identification
  • report suspicious salespeople to the Office of Fair Trading
  • trim shrubs and trees around doors and windows
  • install sensor lights in external areas
  • lock tools away and secure wheelie bins
  • clear your garden of tools, ladders and bricks which could be used to break in
  • have your valuables engraved and photographed by the Police
  • when you are home, secure the sections of your house that you aren't using
  • keep some lights on and a radio/television playing when you are out
  • keep any valuables out of sight
  • never leave a note on your door that suggests you aren't home
  • make sure your house number is visible from the street (for emergency services)
  • get to know your neighbours – they are your best and cheapest form of security
  • join Neighbourhood Watch
  • balance security with your need for home fire safety and quality of life. 

During the holiday season

To secure your home when you're away on holiday:

  • tell a trusted friend or neighbour about your holiday plans and leave your contact details
  • make it look like you're home – cancel deliveries, leave lights on timers and ask a neighbour to collect your mail and bring in rubbish bins
  • never leave a message on your answering machine telling people you’re away on holiday
  • take car keys with you or give them to someone you trust – don't leave them at home if your car is close by.

Get involved in neighbourhood safety

Join the Neighbourhood Watch program to meet with your neighbours to help improve the safety of your local neighbourhood. For more information contact the Bayside Crime Prevention Office.

Stay up to date

Check and subscribe to the myPolice Bayside blog to keep up to date with current crime trends, Police strategies and activities.

Help and support

If you have concerns about the security of your home or surrounds, phone Council's Community Safety Adviser on 3829 8999 or contact your local Police station.

Security at work

Workplace security protects customers, staff and property. Whether you're a business owner or an employee, you can do your part to improve security in your workplace.

To improve your security at work:

  • never give your personal details to customers and remove your identification when you leave work
  • keep your personal belongings out of sight and in a locked drawer if possible
  • check the identification of people loitering around work premises, especially if they claim they are there for a reason (e.g. repairs)
  • report suspicious activity to management
  • develop a policy on handling money and make staff aware of it
  • if you transport money, take a colleague or security guard with you and vary your route
  • never make it obvious that you are carrying money
  • put all rubbish in a secured bin
  • install security equipment such as mirrors, CCTV and alarms
  • keep lighting outside your premises in working order
  • trim trees and shrubs to enhance surveillance footage and reduce hiding spots.