Police took to the streets of Chermside this week, sharing practical personal safety tips with shoppers and commuters as part of a targeted community engagement effort at the suburb’s busy retail and entertainment precinct.
Officers from the North Brisbane Crime Prevention Unit and Cross Cultural Liaison Unit were on the ground on Tuesday, 9 June, moving through the area to speak directly with the public. The Mobile Police Beat was also deployed to support the visit, offering advice on both personal safety and vehicle security.
The operation centred on Chermside’s major retail hub — Westfield Chermside, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres, which draws visitors from across Brisbane’s north to its mix of retail stores, dining outlets, and entertainment venues.
Staying safe in public
Officers spoke to commuters about the value of staying alert and projecting confidence when out in public. Key advice included being aware of surroundings at all times, trusting gut instincts when something feels off, and removing yourself from any situation that feels unsafe.
One reminder that resonated with many was the simple habit of putting your phone away while walking — using headphones or scrolling through a device reduces situational awareness and can make a person more vulnerable. Police also recommended sticking to well-lit areas when walking at night, facing oncoming traffic, and letting someone know where you’re headed and when you expect to be back.
Detailed personal safety resources for adults, seniors, and young people are available through the Queensland Police Service’s personal safety website.
Don’t make your car an easy target
Vehicle security was also a focus during the engagement. Officers reminded locals that opportunistic theft from cars is often preventable with a few straightforward habits.
The advice was clear: remove valuables from your vehicle, or at the very least keep them out of sight. Personal documents are a particular concern — leaving them in a car creates a real risk of identity theft and fraud. Police also flagged the importance of locking all doors and windows, even when a vehicle is parked on your own property, and keeping garage door openers concealed.
For those wanting an extra layer of protection, officers suggested looking into security add-ons such as car alarms, immobilisers, or ignition shields. Engraving a unique identifier onto valuables is another option that can assist police in recovering property if it is stolen.
Parking in well-lit areas and fitting anti-theft screws to number plates were also highlighted. North Brisbane residents can order the screws online — details are available through the Queensland Police Service’s Brisbane North community page.
A regular reminder for a high-traffic area
Chermside’s Westfield precinct is one of the busiest in Queensland, serving a trade area of more than 900,000 people and attracting millions of visits each year. With that kind of foot traffic, it’s a logical location for police to engage with the community on everyday safety habits.
If you missed Tuesday’s Mobile Police Beat, the Queensland Police Service’s personal safety resources remain available online any time.
Published 13-June-2026
