Thieves threw gas bottles through the front window of Essential Surf and Skate last month in an early morning smash and grab which netted skateboards and scooters.
Owners Fiona and Peter Hunt said it was the first time the Helensburgh store had been broken into and they would be “shattered” if locals were responsible.
“It’s our busiest time of year; summer in our industry is what keeps us afloat throughout winter,” said Fiona. “We had to close the shop for a day to get the window fixed which really affects a small family business.”
Fiona said the police told her that thieves were aware of the lack of police presence in Helensburgh and knew a response was “half an hour away”.
“There’s been quite a few break-ins and everyone’s just so sick of it,” said Fiona.
Display windows at the Helensburgh Pharmacy were smashed twice late last year, but the thieves couldn’t get into the store.
“We used to have a manned police station when we probably didn’t need it back then, but now it’s so necessary,” Fiona said.
However, Heathcote MP Lee Evans said policing had been boosted in the area 12 months ago and officers were driving the circuit from Austinmer to Helensburgh 21 hours a day.
“If they’re at the station or sitting in a car, it’s still going to happen,” he said. “It depends where they are in terms of response time.”
Mr Evans said every police vehicle was a mini police station. “NSW Police operating strategy is to have mobile officers pounding the beat, with minimum officers in police stations.”
He is currently lobbying to have highway patrol officers do their reports at Helensburgh station when it is replaced. “It’s midway on the M6 and this would provide an extra presence.”
Mr Evans said the Federal Government had automatically lodged an Aboriginal Land Claim over the station when redevelopment plans
were mooted.
“Every NSW public asset that is being sold or redeveloped has to be assessed,” he said. “We need Dharawal senior elders (to inspect) but instead we had to get elders from La Perouse who said it wasn’t their country so it’s gone to the bottom of the list.”
Mr Evans said the claim was over the adjoining horse paddock and his colleague, the NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, could intervene. “She’s looking at it now and she can make a recommendation to the federal government.”
Mr Evans said Christmas holidays was always a period of increased crime and he urged locals to not only be vigilant but manage their own security.
“In a small town, people tend to leave their cars and houses unlocked. People have to help themselves.”
Leaving a vehicle unlocked is illegal – the fine is $238.