Wynnum Police Media Release

‘Hoodie Free Zone’ to reduce robbery risk

A police initiative to better educate businesses on how to reduce the risk of falling victim to armed robbery will be rolled out in the Wynnum District in July 2011.

Wynnum District Officer Acting Superintendant Paul Scanlan said the ‘Hoodie Free Zone’ initiative had been developed as a result of an increase in armed robberies where offenders were wearing hooded jumpers to conceal their identity.

“The strategy aims to raise awareness and to educate retailers of the importance of providing a good description to police,” he said.

“By encouraging customers to remove their hoodies, retailers can minimise the risk of being a target.

“This initiative includes a ‘Remove Hoodies on Premises’ sticker to be placed in prominent positions inside businesses.

“Along with this sticker, retailers will also receive height stickers and an armed robbery awareness brochure.”

Acting Superintendant Scanlan said that without hoodies covering their heads, offenders and suspects can be easily identified on CCTV footage and through witness descriptions.

“If we can encourage ‘hoodie free zones’, it is hoped we can reduce unease among retailers as it reduces the ability of offenders and suspects to conceal their identities,” he said.

This initiative is to be rolled out within the Wynnum District on a trial for 1 month and will then be extended across South Brisbane and Oxley Districts.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.