Volunteer in Policing (ViP) Vanessa, Ipswich District NHW volunteer Pam Lobwein, Queensland Police Service Senior Constable Shantelle Dowell, and ViP Imogen, at Ripley Square.

The initiative was delivered by the Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit, with support from police media teams and sponsorship from Bendigo Bank Rosewood.

Originally developed as a cinema advertisement, the content was adapted for online use and shared through a targeted Netflix social media campaign, where it attracted more than 31,000 views. The strong response demonstrated the value of presenting clear, practical safety messages in formats that fit easily into everyday life.

The digital campaign coincided with National Secure Your Home Day, providing a timely opportunity to reinforce the messaging through direct community engagement. On the final weekend of September, crime prevention personnel and Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteers met with residents at several local shopping centres, answering questions and sharing practical advice in a relaxed, accessible setting.

As a light-hearted reminder, coffee cups printed with the message “Have a Coffee Break, Not a House Break” were distributed, encouraging residents to pause and consider small actions that can make a meaningful difference to home security.

By combining digital outreach with face-to-face conversations, the initiative ensured crime prevention advice reached a broad cross-section of the Ipswich community and supported residents to take simple, proactive steps to protect their homes and vehicles.