Don’t get caught out at Christmas
Stratford shoppers will be targeted with tips to help them avoid becoming victims of theft later this week.
South Warwickshire’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is running an action evening in the town centre on Thursday 17 December.
Organised by Warwickshire County Council, representatives from the local authority, Neighbourhood Watch, Warwickshire Police and the Stratford District Council will be out and about raising awareness about acquisitive crime.
They will be meeting with members of the public to dispense useful information and advice to help residents deter thieves and protect their property and vehicles from becoming prime crime targets. To spread the message that little bit wider they will also be providing retailers with advice leaflets to hand out to customers.
This is the third event to take place in the area following similar evenings on 3 and 10 December in Leamington Spa. The message has been well-received by shoppers and over 5,000 leaflets and postcards have been already distributed.
The advice, which covers home, vehicle and shopping security, may seem like common sense but these points can be so easy to overlook when people are rushing around on Christmas errands.
Town Centres are getting increasingly busier and shoppers are more distracted looking for last minute presents, while opportunist thieves are preparing to catch victims unaware.
So it’s worth noting a few useful tips to help ensure a hassle-free experience.
When leaving the house:
Close windows and lock doors – in one in three burglaries nationally, thieves didn’t have to force entry in to a home, residents simply left doors and windows open
Make it look like you are in – use automatic timer switches to control lights and a radio when you’re not in to convince a burglar that someone is home
Arm your alarm – if you have a burglar alarm, set it even if you are only out for a few minutes
Securing your vehicle:
Don’t leave items on show – Thieves may wander round looking for valuables left on seats and can simply smash a window to steal something
Lock your motor – even if you only leave your vehicle for a short time
Ensure keys are out of sight – don’t leave keys in unattended coat pockets and be aware about dropping keys in to handbags or briefcases - they may still be visible
While shopping:
Keep wallets and purses safe – keep them close to your body in an inside pocket or closed handbag for example
Never carry anything indicating your pin number – it is also important to carry chequebooks and guarantee cards separately
Don’t carry around large amounts of cash – use cards or cash points regularly instead
Cllr Richard Hobbs, the county council’s portfolio holder for community protection said: “The risk of becoming a victim of burglary or theft from motor vehicle is often increased prior to and during the Christmas period.
“By holding the town centre events and issuing these safety tips we hope to remind people to take extra care at this busy time of year. Simple things like locking doors and windows or keeping wallets and purses out of sight can help to reduce the risk of falling prey to opportunistic thieves.”
Thefts should be reported to Warwickshire Police on 01926 415000.