Log on to prevent crime in Warwickshire
Warwickshire residents are being urged to protect themselves against becoming the next victim of crime - by logging on to the web and taking heed of some vital crime prevention advice.
Following reports of recent daytime house burglaries and distraction burglaries around the county, Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Unit are urging people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and check their home security.
Updated crime prevention advice on how to secure your property and beat distraction burglars has this week been launched on the council’s website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/communitysafety. Simply click on the ‘Community Safety Unit’ link, and then click ‘Useful Advice’.
Katie Western, Community Safety Projects Officer at Warwickshire County Council, said: “People can help protect themselves from becoming the next victim of a home burglary or distraction burglary by taking some basic precautions. The website has some simple advice on what you can do to secure your property and keep yourself safe.”
Advice on the website includes:
Securing your property
• Ensuring your house looks lived in when you are out (especially when it’s dark) is very important. Leave a number of lights on, not just a small lamp on a timer.
• Security of your side / back gate is extremely important. You should ensure that gates are stoutly locked and (if possible) close to the front elevation of your property.
• Most burglaries occur at properties without a burglar alarm. An alarm is a huge deterrent, as it will alert others to a burglar’s presence - which is the last thing that they want.
• Many burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. It only takes a matter of seconds for an opportunist to sneak-in, so if you are not using a particular room or are in the garden - make sure you close and lock all unattended windows and doors.
• Should a burglary occur - have you marked your property with a UV pen, or better still – with SmartWater?
Distraction burglary
Some burglars can try to trick their way in to your homes stating that they are from the water, gas, electricity company or the local council.
• STOP! Are you expecting anyone? Do they have an appointment? Make sure your windows and doors are locked - some thieves can work in pairs, with one sneaking in the back door while you’re talking at the front.
• CHAIN! Put the door bar or chain on before you open the door. If you’re uncomfortable leaning around the door to speak while a chain or bar is on, fix a small mirror by the door, and talk into it.
• CHECK! Always ask for an ID card, and check it carefully. Close the door and check using a phone number from the phone book or a relevant bill, not the one on the card.
• REMEMBER! Water BOARDS no longer exist! If callers mention the word ‘BOARD’ - Warwickshire Police’s advice is to dial 999.
Katie Western concluded: “Individuals can help the police keep crime levels low in Warwickshire by securing their homes and their possessions.
“It is especially important that people are vigilant following these recent incidents in the county, some where empty properties have been broken into during daylight hours and others where the victims have been distracted into letting burglars into their homes.”