Here are a few tips for crime prevention throughout the year, to find out more details or to discuss any query you may have please contact your local NW Co-ordinator or local Beat Officer.
Spring
Spring time is when we get out all the tools for the garden and start to emerge from the Winter darkness so please bear the following in mind:
- Make sure you keep garages and sheds locked whilst using tools and ensure you put them away after use.
- Make sure garage doors are closed and secure.
- Now is a good time to ensure fences are secure and not broken.
- Consider planting defensive hedging and plants.
- Light timers can be used for all manner of things including turning lights on if you get home after dark to make the property appear lived in.
- If you plan a Spring Break ask neighbours to watch over your property ensuring post is pushed completely through the letterbox and make sure milk and papers have been cancelled.
Summer
Summer is the time when a lot of people think of going on holiday please bear the following in mind:
- Cancel milk and papers.
- Ask neighbours to keep an eye on your property whilst you are away.
- If you are going to be away for a long time consider letting your local Beat Team know.
- Light timers set in different areas of your property at different times are important to give the impression that someone is at home.
- Ensure windows and doors are securely locked whenever you leave your property even if you are just nipping to the shops – and especially if you are going on holiday.
- Anti-social behaviour can be more of a problem during school holidays so ensure you know where your children are and if anyone is displaying anti-social behaviour then please call the police on 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
- Keep garages and sheds secure and put tools away when finished with.
- Makes sure valuable items of garden equipment and toys are put away when finished with and property marked where appropriate.
- Make sure you property mark your household items – to get more advice on how to mark your property please speak to your local Beat Team.
- Don’t discuss your holiday dates in public where you could be overheard.
- Don’t leave calendars on display marked with ‘Holiday – 2 weeks’.
Autumn
Autumn brings in the start of longer nights and with Halloween and Bonfire Night please bear the following in mind:
- Light timers should be used where possible to give the impression that the property is occupied.
- Anti-social behaviour can be reported on 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
- Be aware of your neighbours, especially vulnerable residents; make sure they are aware of locking their doors and windows properly and that their possessions are stored securely.
- Ensure you know where you children are on Halloween, accompany younger ones and check that older ones know what is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t.
Winter
Winter brings cold weather and long nights, Christmas and the New Year, with that in mind please remember the following:
- Light timers should be used.
- Christmas trees and presents should not be displayed by open windows which can tempt a would-be thief.
- When shopping for gifts, do not leave them on display in your vehicle.
- Dispose of wrapping that details what you have bought away from your property in general refuse bins.
- When gifts have been opened dispose of wrapping and boxes that details what you have in general refuse bins.
- Watch out for vulnerable residents, make sure they are not the target of conmen or bogus callers.
- When you go out to the car to get something have a quick check up and down your road to make sure all is in order.
- Make sure that if you have a holiday over the Christmas period that your neighbours are aware.
- Don’t just hide away of an evening when you get home, take a quick look out of the window as you go past to make sure your neighbourhood is ok.
General advice
Making sure your property is marked appropriately and your home is secure will go a long way towards ensuring you are not the target of a crime. Make sure you lock doors securely at night and leave the keys in a safe place that your family knows about should you need them in a hurry.
If you have any queries about home security or wish to join Neighbourhood Watch then please speak with your local Beat Officer .
As always the numbers to call are:
- 999 Emergency number – call when a crime is being committed or a life is in danger;
- 101 Non-emergency number – call when a crime has been discovered, to leave a message for your local Officer, or for general queries;
- 0845 045 45 45 Non-emergency number as above.