A Port Douglas police representative has reminded locals to have a security first mindset following a spate of juvenile driven crime over the past few months across Cairns, The Tablelands and at times the local government area.

There are key steps homeowners and rent occupiers can take to avoid their car from being stolen or to prevent becoming a frustrating break and enter statistic.

“To stem the rate at which we are affected by crime, there are several things we must do,” Sergeant and Officer-in-Charge of Port Douglas Police Station, Damian Meadows, explained.

“The theft of motor vehicles is an issue statewide, they are normally the second most expensive thing at the residence apart from the house, so we should be very keen to ensure its security.

“Don’t leave keys on the patio table or kitchen bench, place them somewhere in the house that only the occupants know where they will be.

“Go to the trouble of ensuring you secure your house correctly, even if you are at the other end of the house, opportunistic thieves will quickly enter you house at the other end and steal valuables and car keys.

“If you leave the house, even if it’s only to pick the kids up from school, lock up. Make the effort to install quality security screens and camera equipment.

“If you negotiate with your insurance company they will consider discounts for people with improved security in place.”

Being alert and security conscious goes a long way to prevent local crime.

“Port Douglas is a beautiful place to live however, we present a very soft underbelly to these (juvenile) criminals,” Mr Meadows outlined.

“If they try a hundred houses in Cairns they will get easy access to two. Here in Port Douglas, if they try six they’ll get easy access to five, because of complacency.

“These are not good odds. For criminals it’s a risk verse reward mentality; if we make life hard for them they will soon realise the reward is no longer here and then (they’ll have) to stick to their own patch or head elsewhere.”

Overall, Port Douglas is for the most part a crime free area to live.

“The vast majority of offences committed in Port Douglas are by juveniles who do not reside here,” Mr Meadows revealed.

“We have some juveniles who commit minor offences but the rate at which our local kids offend is below the state average.”

Mossman youth charges

Recently police have confirmed a 15-year-old Mossman boy was arrested for committing a number of alleged offences across the Far North.

The youth has been charged with two counts each of burglary and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, three counts each of stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of receiving stolen property and unlicensed driving.

His bail was opposed, and he will appear at a future date in Cairns Children's’ Court.

Missing Mossman man

A Mossman man last seen in Logan, South Brisbane in November last year was reported missing in January and has recently been found deceased.

Police confirmed the body of Andrew Walsh, 35, was found under a property, covered in cement in Coopers Plains, South Brisbane.

Police had spent three weeks examining the crime scene before an excavation of a particular spot at the private transport depot uncovered Mr Walsh’s remains.

Police said a 27-year-old man was recently arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to Mr Walsh’s suspected murder.