This a copy and paste from the local paper, so be wary if camping here.
AN epidemic of campsite burglaries at Inskip Point prompted calls yesterday for better security, including warnings that the popular campgrounds are a "high crime area".
Police confirmed there had been a recent spate of thefts, but said this was not typical.
Kilkivan resident Mary Duffy-Sempf said campsite burglars had ruined her long weekend break and put her family in serious debt after stealing a borrowed generator she will now have to replace, along with camping equipment she has accumulated over many years.
Thieves used bolt cutters to cut chains and steal another camper's $2500 generator.
Thousands of Inskip, Freshwater and Teewah campers played a big role in boosting the region's economy over the long weekend and many residents fear the recent wave of burglaries, widely discussed on the internet already, will damage the area's vital tourist reputation.
Police confirmed yesterday that Gympie detectives had joined officers from Rainbow Beach, Maryborough and Hervey Bay to investigate a "spike" in serious property offences in the area, including thefts from vehicles at Inskip Point and Tin Can Bay.
A spokesman said police figures showed a downward trend in such offences generally.
But recently there had been a sudden increase, the spokesman said.
"Since June 7, there have been five cases of stealing from a vehicle reported to police," he said.
AN individual criminal or organised group is probably behind a big surge in property crimes at the Cooloola Coast, especially targeting Inskip Point campers.
"There's been a big spike in the last week or two, well against the trend for the year," the police spokesman said.
"Generally things have been going well this year, but there's been a surge in offences recently.
"There's definitely an issue here," the spokesman said.
"The number of generators and fridges that have gone west is significant.''
"They've got bolt cutters too," campsite burglary victim Mary Duffy-Sempf, of Kilkivan, said yesterday.
She said she was robbed on Thursday night and had been forced to abandon her long-awaited beach holiday.
"They took a huge plastic box full of pots and pans collected over the years and nothing can replace the camp oven given to me by my son, who is now dead.
"There was $400 to $500 worth of cooking stuff stolen. They took expensive chairs, a table and about $80 worth of food.
"On Friday we had to give up and go back home - no food, no pots and pans and no money to replace it all - and now we've got to buy a new generator for the bloke we borrowed one from.
"They took rod holders, a security light. They came into our camp while we were asleep and took it all.
"I feel violated, actually.
"We were planning a three or four-night stay.
"We got one walk on the beach and went fishing once. I suppose we're lucky we got to do that.
"I told the QPWS they should put up a warning sign, like those about crocodiles and dingoes, but they said, 'Oh we couldn't do that'," Ms Duffy-Sempf said.
