Looters are continuing to target residents on the NSW Far North Coast as they face a major clean-up and ongoing threat of further damage from storms and flooding.
The situation has become so dire, Murwillumbah resident Jean told Today she was targeted by a looter while she was still home sorting through the storm damage.
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Jean said criminals climbed over the mountain of debris in her backyard, came up the back stairs and even petted her dogs inside her home while she was hosing damaged property in the front yard.
"It's really scary - I had candles on so that people would know that I was home and looters wouldn't come," Jean told Today.
"I was still working my butt off out the front, downstairs, hosing off all my belongings - I literally had been at it since 6am, still going at 10pm in the dark, my livelihood out the front.
"Everything I've saved for, my hopes and dreams, then to find out somebody has come upstairs into my home knowing full well that I'm actually there, because I've got Christmas lights on, my animals, they had the balls to pet my animals, they didn't care that I was home.
"That's what's so scary, that they know that I'm a female on my own and I'm so worried now."
There have been several reports of looters targeting properties in Far North NSW and South East Queensland while people have been forced to flee for safety in floodwaters.
Several arrests have been made already with several communities across the two states targeted.
Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan condemned the "outrageous behaviour" as tens of thousands of people suffer through the life-threatening event hitting both Queensland and New South Wales.
"Let me put this as politely as I can to those people engaged in that behaviour," Mr Ryan said yesterday.
"What you are doing is not just illegal, but you are also grubs - The police will find you and bring you before the courts."
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