Ballarat woman's car torched but won't stop exposing local crime
A mother's car was set on fire with gas canisters after she started posting CCTV of alleged offenders on Facebook.
Tanika started a community Facebook page to post security footage of alleged criminals and help locals track stolen cars. Within weeks, her own car was torched in her yard in a suspected arson attack.
Gas canisters and makeshift wicks were found at the scene. Tanika's 10-year-old watched from inside the house as flames filled the yard.
Despite the attack, Tanika and her partner Scott have not stopped running the page. They have already helped recover stolen vehicles and bring attention to repeat offenders.
Ballarat's recorded crime rose 11.7 per cent in the past year, with almost 60 per cent of cases unsolved. Victoria Police formed a dedicated vehicle theft team that has made 175 arrests and recovered more than 400 stolen cars since March.
- 11.7 per cent
- Ballarat crime increase
- Almost 60 per cent
- Unsolved offences
- 175
- Victoria Police arrests since March
- More than 400
- Stolen cars recovered
Why it mattersCommunity members are taking action against rising crime, but face real personal danger when they do, raising questions about safety and support for people who act.
AustraliaBallarat residents are increasingly using social media to combat local crime as police resources stretch thin across Victoria, but vigilante posts create risks for those involved.
Corroborated bynine.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 5 d ago
