What Does Suspicious Activity & Behaviour Look Like?

What is Suspicious Activity?

Suspicious behaviour refers to actions or situations that seem out of place or unusual for the area or time. While not every unusual behaviour is linked to criminal activity, staying alert can help prevent crimes before they occur. Here are some key indicators to watch for:

Unusual Presence or Activity

• Loitering: Individuals lingering around homes, businesses, or public areas without any apparent purpose, especially if they are repeatedly seen in the same spot.
• Unfamiliar Vehicles: Cars or other vehicles that are parked in your neighbourhood or near your business for an extended period without any obvious reason.
• Frequent Vehicles: Cars or other vehicles frequently arriving at or departing from a residence, particularly if they are different vehicles each time and/or remain parked for short durations.
• Unusual Odours & Equipment: Unusual chemical odours coming from a property, which may be accompanied by windows that are consistently covered or blacked out.
• Items without Plausible Explanations: Observing individuals who suddenly acquire expensive items such as bicycles, jewellery, or electronics, without a reasonable explanation for their acquisition. This might coincide with an increase in reported thefts in the vicinity.

Suspicious Interactions

• Unusual Deliveries: Homes or businesses receiving a large number of packages, especially if they are left in unconventional location or arrive at unusual times.
• Frequent Visitors: Individuals frequently entering or leaving a residence, particularly if they are different individuals each time and/or they only stay for short periods.
• Strange Transactions: Observing exchanges that seem out of place, such as passing items between vehicles or handing over large sums of money in public.

Odd Behaviour

• Concealment: People hiding their faces or hands, or behaving nervously when approached.
• Unwarranted Attention: Individuals taking undue interest in specific buildings, people, or vehicles, possibly taking photos or making sketches.

Signs of Preparation

• Tools and Equipment: Individuals carrying unusual tools or equipment that could be used for breaking and entering, especially during odd hours.
• Surveillance: People using binoculars, cameras, or other devices to observe an area or property for an extended time.
• Possession of Graffiti Paraphernalia: Observing individuals carrying spray paints and other tagging equipment in their bag or locker, or noticing graffiti-style tags in their notebooks that resemble those found in the area.

How to Report Suspicious Activity

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. By reporting suspicious activities, you provide valuable information that helps law enforcement prevent and solve crimes. Even small details can be the missing piece in a larger puzzle.

Your actions can prevent crimes, protect your neighbours, and contribute to the safety of Brisbane. Remember, being a Local Legend isn’t just about what you see, but what you do with that information. See something? Say something. Together, we can create a safer city for everyone.

Make the Right Call

• In an emergency or if the crime is happening now, always call Triple Zero (000).
• If you need police assistance, but it’s not an emergency, you can contact Policelink on 131 444 or visit www.police.qld.gov.au.
• Want to share info about non-urgent crime or suspicious activity anonymously? Reach out to Crime Stoppers Qld on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.