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Christmas is coming and with it a time of year
for some unfortunate people who are the victims
of crime. If it happens to you it is terribly
upsetting, worrying and time-consuming; sorting
out insurance, police reports, replacing items
etc. Not to mention the expense.
Keeping a watchful eye out for any strange
people hanging around our houses, streets, and
village will help – and reporting them to our
local police by calling the non-emergency police
telephone number 101.
If you see a crime being committed and the police need
to attend immediately call the emergency
services number 999.
Alternatively, if
you do not want to speak to police, or leave
your name, please contact the Crimestoppers
charity on 0800 555 111
Here
are a few helpful hints and tips that we should
not forget – it is so easy to become complacent:
Make
your home appear occupied when you are out or
away by using timer switches to bring lights on,
especially now the nights are drawing in.
If you
do go out after dark, close the curtains so that
your assets can not be viewed from the outside
Fit
and use good quality locks on windows and doors
and ensure they are securely closed when you go
out.
Ensure
such things as ladders and garden tools that
could aid an offender locked away. Make sure
you have a good lock on your garden shed if you
have valuables contained in them.
Keep
your valuables such as handbags, purses/wallets,
mobile phones out of sight.
If you
do have an alarm, make sure you use it. If you
don’t have one and they are too costly in our
current climate you can consider buying a
‘dummy’ box as a cheaper alternative and
deterrent. A burglar alarm will make a
potential intruder think twice.
Making
potential thieves feel exposed when approaching
your property can help reduce the risk of
burglary. Security lights can be fitted.
Remember - Around half of
all burglaries happen in empty homes. The best
deterrent is to make your home look occupied
while you are away, by using automatic timer
switches to turn interior lights on and off.
Also ask a trusted neighbour to park their car
on your drive occasionally and to open your
curtains in the mornings and close them in the
evenings.
*** Please ask your
Neighbourhood watch team, friends or neighbours
to keep an eye on your home while you are away
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