General News
25 July, 2025
Police call for late-night digits
Maryborough Police are calling on local businesses to provide after hours contact information in case of a late night incident.
Businesses are able to collect and return a one-page form at the local station, ensuring the organisation has an up-to-date contact in case of a burglary, property damage, or other police matters outside of business hours.
Acting Sergeant Crystal Clark said local police are updating the registry after finding it was “quite old” containing businesses that no longer exist and is missing many that have since opened in the town.
“It just highlighted the key issue that it’s probably a good time for us to ... ensure we update the businesses that are still here and update all our new businesses as well,” she said.
Acting Sgt Clark emphasised the registry wasn’t only an important tool for local police but could save business owners an unexpected expense.
If a business is a victim of property damage or a burglary, local police need to secure the premises before leaving.
If they can contact the business’ nominated person on the registry the task falls to them, however, if they can’t, local police use a shutter service at the owner’s expense.
“If somebody smashes a window at a business we have to secure the premises prior to leaving but obviously we can’t stay there all night and guard,” Acting Sgt Clark said.
“So we get what’s called a shutter service ... it’s an external business that comes and usually boards up doors or boards up windows that have been smashed to secure the premises so the police can leave.”
The current out-of-date registry has meant police haven’t always had contact information for an impacted business.
“Some of our members live locally so we use that local knowledge sometimes to assist us,” Acting Sgt Clark said.
“Having someone that’s actually noted down as being their after hours contact is beneficial for us in emergency services situations.”
Acting Sgt Clark encourages the community to collect and return the form at Maryborough Station’s reception.
“It’s really to try and assist our community if there is something at their business,” she said.