There's been another string of successful and attempted break-ins on homes and businesses in Macksville over the past week and a bit.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Sunday morning one Macksville resident came home to discover the glass on their front door smashed in, and a small tear in the screen door where a finger was likely used to flick the lock on the other side.
Nothing was taken from the Barrie St house and police have therefore classified it as an attempted break-in.
Police believe the incident occurred sometime between 9am and 4pm on Saturday, October 10.
Another Macksville resident has reported on social media that someone attempted to break into their house on Boundary St around 8.30pm on Saturday evening.
Police have said, however, that incident was not reported to them.
Over the October long weekend two local businesses were also targeted.
Two small-statured intruders wearing dark-coloured hoodies were captured on CCTV breaking into Elk on 38 Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Wallace St on Sunday, October 3, around 4am.
The bottom panel of the glass front door was smashed in with a chunk of concrete.
The same night another Wallace St shop had one of its windows smashed in the same way, although as nothing is reported as being taken, police are ruling that incident a case of malicious damage instead of an attempted break-in.
Owner of Elk on 38 Bree Castle said only three bottles of spirits were taken from the extensive array of liquor they have on display. Camera footage shows no attempt was made on the cash register, and other small valuables like iPads were left untouched too.
She said the intruders knew to keep low to the ground to avoid triggering the alarm sensor, which only sounded as they exited the restaurant.
They wore gloves, and no positive identification was able to be made from the camera footage.
There is no indication from police that any of the incidents are connected, nor proof that youths were involved in any of them. But Bree said the camera footage showed there was a reasonable likelihood that kids were involved at least in the Elk on 38 instance.
While many in the town are calling for tougher measures in dealing with the youth-led crime in the town, Bree would rather see a different tack.
"I'd prefer the kids to come here and work it off. Because that door is going to cost me $1000 by the time it's fixed properly - all for $90 worth of grog," she said.
I think they just need a sense of pride about themselves. If they learn to work hard they'll feel accomplished, and might not then feel the need to destroy.
Macksville Police advised locals to continue to ensure their properties were secured, remembering to lock windows and doors as the weather heats up.
They also urge people to report all incidents to the police to give them a clearer indication of what is happening around town.
Also in the news
Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
