Community dobbing of law breakers is unsettling to the Australian psyche. We flash our headlights at oncoming traffic because we want to spare them a speed camera fine. This peculiar suburban solidarity is what drives community antipathy towards law and order. It's the Waltzing Matilda, Eureka Stockade thing. The anti-establishment creed of the battlers; an innate Australian way of a fair go. But when it comes to crime, it is misplaced.

We should not flash our headlights at oncoming motorists because if they are speeding they deserve to get caught. If we see someone or people breaking the law, whether it be hooning, theft, vandalism or assault, we should report it.

If a neighbour burns rubbish in the backyard, at night to avoid detection, we should report it because it is polluting and particularly dangerous for asthmatics. If a retailer is clearly ripping off customers, we should report it.

Dobbing of those who deserve investigation may seem un-Australian, but we should ignore this instinct if we want to play our part in shaping a peaceful, safe and orderly society.

The big question is how. People want to be able to report unlawful or suspect activity with a minimum of fuss and anonymously, because of an understandable fear of repercussions. The dobber may be fearless, but they have family and friends to consider.

Authorities need to make it easier to engage with strategies such as Crime Stoppers, in an effective and anonymous way. TV crime dramas have probably sown community suspicion about police confidentiality. A hurdle for police to overcome.

A police force is only ever as good as its community. Both the police and the community should ponder this.