Summer safety reminder
As the warm Summer weather finally kicks in, Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team is reminding residents not to leave the ‘door open’ for criminals.
Many people often leave doors and windows open to cool down as the temperatures start to rise, but do not realise it leaves an easy entry for thieves to take your belongings.
Although domestic burglary in Warwickshire fell by almost 17 per cent last year compared to 2006, the Community Safety Team is urging people to consider a number of small measures which could make a big difference to home security. For example:
* Ensure windows and doors are locked, especially at the rear of the house, if a room is unattended or you are leaving the house
* Fit limiters to windows to decrease the distance they can be opened – the smaller the gap the less chance there is of anyone gaining access
* Install a burglar alarm – these are a huge deterrent to thieves and most burglaries happen in homes which don’t have one fitted
* Mark your property with a UV pen or SmartWater – identifiable property is much harder for criminals to sell on or dispose of
If you are going on holiday or staying away from your house for a long period of time, it’s also worth considering cancelling newspapers and milk deliveries while you are away, and asking a neighbour to remove post and flyers from your letterbox while keeping an eye on your property.
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “Burglaries are often carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries no force is applied because they get in through an open door or window.
“We obviously want everyone to enjoy the summer weather but it is worth considering a few small measures to ensure your home is secure at all times.”