$5,000 tool haul as thieves target new Ballina medical centre
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More than $5,000 worth of tools and valuable copper have been stolen during a weekend break-in at Ballina’s new Bullinah medical centre.
CCTV footage shows a man wearing a hoodie at the construction site on the corner of Tamar and Grant streets over several hours during the early hours of Sunday.
One image, taken about 12.44am, clearly shows the man walking through the site.
Workers arrived to discover a locked site box had been broken into and more than $5,000 worth of DeWalt tools taken.
Loose lengths of copper and pump parts were also stolen, while cables were cut and copper removed from electrical work already completed at the site.
Ballina News Daily visited the construction site today, where workers were busy repairing some of the damage and replacing copper wiring taken during the break-in.
Workers expressed their disappointment, saying the theft was not only a major inconvenience but a setback for a project they were working hard to complete for the community.
They said it was particularly frustrating to see work on a new community health facility targeted in this way.
The stolen tools are understood to have been engraved, potentially helping police identify them if they are recovered.
The incident has been reported to police and CCTV footage is available.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Ballina Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Photo: CCTV footage shows a hooded man at the Bullinah medical centre construction site in the early hours of Sunday. Police have been contacted for further information.
In response to this story on tools and copper theft from Ballina’s new Bullinah medical centre, I thought it may be beneficial to highlight some proven theft deterrent measures that we promote as an opportunity for those affected to deter future incidences.
We provide theft deterrent solutions via 2 main mediums:
• MicroDOT solutions for the marking and identification of assets
• DNA Guardian solutions for the marking and identification of offenders
With associated signage, internal promotion, external PR (Radio, TV, Press), the involvement of Police and the support of local Council, these solutions form very powerful theft deterrent initiatives either individually or in combination.
Some extra information:
• MicroDOTS can be used to mark almost anything and there are many standard kits that apply to a wide-ranging set of different sectors. We also put together custom programs for specific needs on a very regular basis. In some respects, MicroDOTS are an advanced form of engraving, providing identification to assets and irrefutable proof of ownership. Engraving is typically very easy to find and either disguise or remove/destroy. Because MicroDOTS are so small and therefore very difficult to find and remove them all, marked assets become better off left alone. A single MicroDOT is enough to provide proof of ownership. In most cases, would-be thieves are highly motivated to move on to softer, unmarked targets.
• DNA Guardian – this is our offender marking system. Set up to be activated by motion sensors, money clips (in the case of a cash hold-up), under counter buttons, hand-held remote, or even from remote monitoring of a site, DNA Guardian sprays the offender with a unique DNA mist that will stay on the skin for 6-8 weeks. There are a couple of different versions of this solution for outdoor use (to deter break-in and theft) and remote site use on a tower with CCTV activation. We are currently modifying an outdoor solution as a prototype to protect EV charging stations, which are often subject to theft of their copper charging cables.
I’d be very confident of being able to have a strong impact upon the theft issues that businesses and householders in Ballina and surrounding districts are facing. We’ve been promoting theft deterrent solutions with MicroDOTS for over 24 years and aim to achieve a minimum 75% reduction in theft in any sector through implementation of these programs. In that time, we have never failed to achieve that aim with a fully implemented solution.
I’d welcome any enquiries to neilm@microdotaustralia.com.au or visit our website at https://www.microdotaustralia.com.au.
Neil McCormack
Managing Director
MicroDOT Australia