It is a great time of year, well school holidays always are and for some families the Easter holidays are very special.

I should qualify that, for the kids, it is special because it means Easter eggs and an almost endless supply of chocolates.

If it is anything like my home, where my sons have chocolate for, and with breakfast, lunch and dinner for a week after Easter, it will be a great break.

While you may have heard it all before, not everyone takes note of the messages and warnings that I and other police communicate to our communities during our holiday breaks.

If you are going away, ask a neighbour or friend to take your bins out and back in, have someone collect your mail and look after your pets, and also leave a contact number so if there is an incident at your home while you are away, you can be contacted.

These are only a few simple tasks that might make your home look more like there is someone there.

I know some of you are thinking 'Why should we have to take these precautions?' but sadly as I have mentioned before, there are those in our communities who are thieves and when presented with an opportunity to take something that doesn't belong to them, they will.

Your police are committed to identifying and apprehending these people and making your holidays as safe as we possibly can.

Talking about safety, I once again urge those who drive upon our roads to obey the speed limits and road rules, drive to the conditions and under no circumstances get behind the wheel if you are alcohol or drug impaired. Enjoy your holidays and have a great Easter.

Until next week.

Zoran Dzevlan

Superintendent Commander

The Hume Local Area Command