Security expert Gina Field appeared on Sunrise to address the rise in home invasions and car thefts across Australia. She confirmed that aggravated break-ins, where families are home during the crime, are on the rise, along with vehicle theft. Field urged Australians to avoid oversharing on social media and to be mindful of what’s shown in real estate listings, as criminals use online tools like Google Maps to target properties.
She stressed simple but effective security measures — locking front doors, securing side gates with padlocks, installing basic alarm systems or smart doorbells, and protecting external electrical boxes to prevent disabling alarms. Gina also recommended using old-school deterrents like steering wheel locks, noting their effectiveness against modern car theft techniques using OBD ports.
Gina and former NSW Police Superintendent Robert Critchlow agreed that many break-ins occur simply because doors or vehicles are left unlocked. Robert emphasised the importance of being a witness, not a hero, during a home invasion. He advised against confronting intruders and instead focusing on observing details for police.
Both experts encouraged the public to report incidents directly to police rather than only posting online. Robert also warned that although gun crime remains largely within criminal circles, its growing visibility in public spaces increases danger to bystanders.
