Gina Field, operational security expert and founder of Nepean Regional Security, recently appeared on air with host Jenny from Curtin Radio to discuss the growing importance of home, personal, and business security in the current economic climate. With cost-of-living pressures, rising fuel prices, and increasing interest rates placing strain on households, Gina framed the conversation around stripping security back to basics — practical, affordable steps that any homeowner can take without a significant financial outlay.
Gina opened by reinforcing a point she returns to consistently: locking up is still not a given for a large portion of the population. Around 31% of Australians are still leaving their front doors unlocked, and 22% are leaving back doors unsecured — a straightforward vulnerability that costs nothing to fix. Beyond locking doors, she recommended inexpensive measures such as solar-powered motion sensor lights from hardware stores, padlocks on side gates, and securing electrical boxes to prevent intruders from disabling alarms and cameras. A particularly overlooked tip was upgrading door lock screws — most standard front door latches are held in place by two-centimetre screws that can be kicked in with minimal effort. Replacing them with seven or nine-centimetre screws costs around five dollars and significantly improves resistance.
On the topic of vehicle theft, Gina explained how offenders are increasingly using inexpensive OBD diagnostic devices — available online for around $35 — to access a car’s onboard data and start the engine without a key. She recommended affordable countermeasures including steering wheel locks, which have made a strong comeback, and Faraday boxes or metal containers for storing key fobs to block signal theft. She also noted the shift in police advice around car keys: where households were previously encouraged to take keys to bed, police now recommend leaving them accessible to avoid escalating a break-in into a dangerous confrontation.
Gina also touched on the importance of making a home look occupied at all times — whether residents are at work during the day or away for an extended period. Practical suggestions included leaving a radio on, using timed interior lighting, clearing mail and bins promptly, and avoiding social media posts that inadvertently advertise both valuable purchases and a home’s address. Dogs were highlighted as one of the most effective and underrated deterrents, with Gina noting that even the sound of barking — artificial or otherwise — has proven enough to send offenders to an easier target. Gravel driveways and bollards were also noted as increasingly popular additions for homeowners wanting to control access to their property.
Looking ahead, Gina flagged fuel theft as an emerging and serious concern for businesses, particularly those operating depots, construction sites, or vehicle fleets. As economic pressure continues to mount, she expressed genuine concern that opportunistic crime will increase across the board — underscoring that now is not the time for complacency, regardless of what security measures are already in place.
