The mere thought that someone would consider using a natural distaster such as a bushfire as an opportunity for looting is enough to send shivers down your spine.
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The unfortunate reality is, it does happen and often it is not long after the disaster has swept through a community that looters start to become active.
Police in both Stawell and Ararat are warning those living in bushfire affected areas of the Grampians and Black Range to be on alert for suspicious activity, with properties left vacant due to evacuation or other fire-related incidents, being vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.
So many residents, visitors and business operators have shown excellent community spirit during the bushfires, opening their doors, their hearts and their pockets to assist those affected most.
It's a shame there are those in society who tend not to want to share in that community spirit. Instead they look at these disasters as an opportunity to kick someone while they are already down and cash in on their misfortunes.
We can all assist police by looking out for any suspicious activity in our region and more importantly, reporting it to police, to ensure these opportunistic thieves are apprehended.