A Queensland mother has spoken out about a harrowing experience where she and her young son hid from intruders in their Toowoomba home for hours, enduring a lengthy wait for police to arrive. This incident marks the third time the family has been targeted in just 10 months, leaving the mother, who has chosen to be identified only as Anjie, feeling utterly vulnerable and questioning the effectiveness of police response.
The terrifying ordeal began around 1 am on Wednesday when Anjie was jolted awake by the sound of footsteps. Believing intruders had broken into her home through a rear door, she immediately alerted authorities, dialling Triple Zero (000). Her worst fears were confirmed when she heard the garage door opening. In a bid to assess the situation, she rushed downstairs, only to discover the intruders were still inside.
“I heard footsteps in the house, downstairs, coming from the lounge room area,” Anjie recounted, her voice still laced with fear. Waking her son, she quickly ushered him into a room where they huddled together, their hearts pounding with a mixture of terror and the desperate hope that police would arrive swiftly. “My heart was racing and I think my concern was just for my son. What if they were armed?” she expressed, the thought of potential danger to her child weighing heavily on her mind.
After the initial call, Anjie dialled Triple Zero again just after 2 am, only to be advised to complete an online report, which she dutifully did. However, the agonizing wait for a physical police presence continued.
Trapped and Terrified: A Night of Waiting
Hours passed with no sign of police. After approximately half an hour of unnerving silence, Anjie cautiously unlocked the door of the room where she and her son had been hiding. What she found downstairs was deeply unsettling. A window blind had been disturbed, a sliding door was ajar, and more alarmingly, the security screen door had been cut open. She confirmed that the property had been securely locked when she went to bed.
Despite the clear evidence of a break-in and the violation of her home, nothing of significant value was stolen. Anjie explained that she intentionally keeps valuables, including car keys and electronics, on upper levels of the house, away from the entry points.
It wasn’t until 3:30 am, more than two hours after her initial emergency call, that the police finally arrived. The prolonged delay left Anjie feeling profoundly helpless. “It just made me feel really helpless,” she stated, reflecting on the police response. “If [the intruders] were armed and if they wanted to go upstairs and kick the door in, I don’t know what would’ve happened. We’re on our own here. I don’t believe the police are going to come and save us.”
A Pattern of Fear: The Suburban Nightmare
Anjie and her 11-year-old son relocated to the suburban area of Cranley just over a year ago, seeking a quieter life. Unfortunately, their experience has been anything but peaceful. This recent break-in follows two previous attempts in May and October of the previous year, both of which were thwarted by the home’s security.
Police Response and Community Concerns
In response to Anjie’s account, the Queensland Police Service issued a statement emphasising their commitment to prioritising calls based on the severity of the threat to life and safety. “Due to the nature of policing, ‘calls for service’ must be triaged based on the threat to life and safety first, and on the information that is provided by the caller at the time,” the statement read. “Urgent and life-threatening calls for service will always be treated as a priority by police across the Darling Downs District.” Police confirmed that officers did attend the scene later, but by that time, no offenders were present, and no injuries were reported. The incident is currently under investigation.
Rising Crime in Toowoomba
The distressing event at Anjie’s home occurs amidst a concerning rise in property-related crime in Toowoomba. Darling Downs Superintendent Doug McDonald acknowledged a significant surge in car theft and property offences since the start of the year. He attributed a substantial portion of these crimes to juvenile and adult offenders, many of whom are known to police. These offences are often opportunistic, with criminals targeting unlocked homes and vehicles.
“They have been targeting unlocked houses and unlocked vehicles and targeting cash, jewellery, credit cards,” Superintendent McDonald explained. “They will walk along trying to open doors to vehicles. If it’s locked, they’ll move on to the next one. And it’s similar to houses.”
Recent statistics paint a stark picture of the escalating crime wave. In the past month alone, Toowoomba police recorded at least 168 unlawful entries, 53 car thefts, and nine robberies. This alarming trend prompted the Queensland Police to launch a statewide operation targeting high-crime areas, with a specific focus on reducing property crime.
A Plea for Enhanced Security and Patrols
Anjie believes that an increased police presence in Toowoomba is not just desirable but essential for the safety of residents. “I think it needs to be done, otherwise I don’t think we’ll stay here,” she stated, expressing her deep concern for her son’s well-being. “We’ll probably move. I’ll buy my own home and make it a fortress.” The ongoing incidents have understandably left her son struggling with sleep.
Her neighbours share her anxieties, actively communicating suspicious activity through a local social media group and voicing their desire for more robust police protection. “We’re just fed up,” Anjie concluded, echoing the sentiment of many in the community. “What do we need to do? Patrol at night ourselves?” The question hangs heavy in the air, highlighting a community grappling with fear and a desperate need for reassurance and effective action.
