Catastrophe likely if rapid extinctions continue: UN

AUSTRALIA and the world must make prevention of the rapid rate of species extinction a political priority or face an environmental catastrophe, the head of an international biodiversity convention has warned.

Letters

Crime prevention gives value for money Your "captive state" series highlights the failure of hard-line "law and order" policies to reduce crime and address recidivism.

Pardon Me?

Hearing loss is common, and often preventable. It shouldn't be ignored.

States Review Child Case Rules

VICTORIAN and South Australian governments were at a loss yesterday to establish when and how they could have intervened in the case of a pregnant mother of seven who was yesterday in custody over allegations she neglected and endangered her children.

Neglect Case Sparks Review

VICTORIAN and South Australian governments were at a loss yesterday to establish when and how they could have intervened in the case of a pregnant mother of seven who was yesterday in custody over allegations she neglected and endangered her children.

Reward To Catch Thieves

A LAKE Macquarie kitchen goods distributor is fighting back against thieves who have repeatedly targeted its Cameron Park warehouse.

'datagate' And Other Apocalypses

Research into data loss, unfortunately, is usually undertaken by firms with an interest in predicting catastrophe.

Gp Security Boss Admits Kickbacks

A FORMER police officer in charge of security for the Australian Grand Prix has admitted receiving almost $300,000 in illegal kickbacks. Mario Joseph Siketa, who became a sergeant in a distinguished 20-year career with Victoria Police before branching out into private security, pleaded guilty to five charges of receiving secret commissions. The County Court was told yesterday that Siketa, the national security and loss prevention manager for Wilson Security, had received cash and a power-ski. Mario Siketa

Tragic Loss Mourned

FLOWERS and messages of support from Newcastle's collegiate community poured into Merewether High School yesterday as its students learnt of the loss of one of their own.

Stores Paying To Be Robbed To Expose Security Flaws

RETAILERS are paying specially trained ``thieves" to shoplift from their stores to unearth security flaws. Security company Loss Prevention Specialists says demand for the undercover service is growing, with four firms paying to be robbed in the past 12 months.

Store Boss Stole $7000

The former manager of Sportsgirl's Gateway store blamed an addiction to gambling when she pleaded guilty in court to stealing thousands of dollars from the fashion retailer. Christine Denise Lepine, of Crown St, Wollongong, when questioned on November 4, 1999, by the store's loss prevention offi

Forces Combine Against Thieves

In a first for the Illawarra, police and shop managers have joined forces to crack down on stealing. With retailers in the region losing millions of dollars each year, managers, security guards and police officers have decided to work together to curb the problem. Kmart's NSW loss prevention m

Worker Stole $5000 With Fake Refunds

A David Jones employee randomly selected names from the phone book to help her steal more than $5000 from the Wollongong department store, Wollongong Local Court heard yesterday. Joanne Brazulaitis' scam came unstuck when David Jones' loss prevention officers detected "suspect cash refunds&

Ex-detective Turns To Helping Retailers

RENATA Ringin was a detective senior constable in the Victoria Police. She left the force to work in clothing stores in the loss-prevention field. Her background, combined with a reported rising rate of fraud and shop theft, led her to believe there was an opening for a consultancy specialising