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The Home Office has launched a campaign reminding people not to leave their belongings and homes open to criminals, including how to minimise the risk of burglary and theft from vehicles. Laptops, car keys and bank statements should not be visible from the street through windows and doors, while valuables should also be removed from sight in vehicles.
Alan Campbell, Home Office minister, launched the initiative, which includes press, radio and television adverts, as well as reminder messages on car park barriers and petrol pumps. Shopping centres, bus stops and train stations will also be home to robbery prevention messages.
Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on crime prevention, deputy assistant commissioner Rod Jarman said: "Most thieves are opportunistic so, by taking some practical steps, you can reduce the chances of falling victim to thieves."
Indeed, the British Crime Survey noted that 37 per cent of burglaries occur in properties with unlocked windows and doors.
Guidance on home security follows:-
Basic Principles
It can be helpful to think of home security in terms of ‘layers’ or protection, each layer needing to be overcome by thieves before they achieve their aim. At each layer the value of a security measure can also be considered in terms of the four ‘D’s, i.e. does a security measure:
- Deter theft
- Defend the property
- Detect the presence of intruders
- Delay the removal of property
Good security usually results from having a range of complementary security measures in place, both at each layer and overall.
1st Layer - Natural Surveillance
Neighbours can be useful allies in detecting and preventing crime, so consider:
- Asking them to watch for unusual activity, especially if you are away on holiday
- Not letting hedges/shrubs become so large that they block a neighbour’s view of your home and thus conceal thieves
- Using external sensor or timer controlled lights to provide dusk/night time lighting
- Starting or taking part in an existing ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme
2nd Layer - Signs of Occupancy
If the home is temporarily unattended, e.g. during a working day/evening then:
- Use internal sensor or timer controlled lights to provide dusk/night time lighting
- Leave a TV or radio on (but not so loud that they could disturb any neighbours)
- Use an answer phone message that says you are unavailable at the moment, not that you are out or away on holiday
- If you put a wheeled bin out for kerbside rubbish collection, ask someone to put it back in its normal place after emptying
- Asking someone to take charge of any deliveries (milk, newspapers, etc)
If you are going to be away for a longer period of time, e.g. holidays, then also:
- Cancel newspapers/milk, or redirect post
- Ask someone to visit and close/open your curtains and remove/conceal any deliveries
- If your car is normally on your driveway, ask someone to park theirs on it instead
- Unless you normally close them each day, leave any driveway gates open
3rd Layer - Garden/Boundaries
If a home has one, a garden or frontage is an area a thief must cross to commit crime, so:-
- Keep walls, hedges, fences and gates in good repair and lock gates if practical
- Avoid placing valuable statues, tubs, benches, etc, in vulnerable gardens or fix them to a pedestal or some form of ground anchor
4th Layer - Buildings
Thieves generally look for easy pickings, so take steps to make theft more difficult by preventing easy entry to your home.
Good perimeter security is essential and certain types of locks may be specified by your insurance company. In general ensure that:
- External doors and windows are in good condition and well fixed to the building
- External doors are fitted with good quality locks/padlocks, and opening windows with key operated locks if they are accessible, i.e. those on basement or ground floors plus those on upper floors which can easily be reached by climbing
- If unsure about fitting locks yourself use a competent locksmith, e.g. a member of the Master Locksmiths Association
- All doors and windows are locked every time you leave and, except in occupied bedrooms, when you retire to bed
- Don’t leave keys to your home in locks or within sight or reach of external glazing
- Don’t leave spare keys under mats, plant pots, dustbins, etc
Preventing easy theft from the home
- Don’t leave home/car keys, wallets or purses, etc, within sight or reach of letter boxes – thieves can fish them out
- Don’t display valuables, ceramic figurines, small antiques, etc, on accessible window sills.
- Don’t label keys with your address
- Beware of the risk of identity theft. Burn or shred waste personal documents
- Don’t leave xmas/wedding presents, etc, on view on externally accessible rooms
Outbuildings and Garages
These buildings may contain items that are of attraction to thieves, or things that could aid a break in to the main building, so check that:-
- Doors and windows are at least as secure as in those in the home, and otherwise use padlocks on doors and bars or mesh grilles on windows
- Garden/other power tools are not left in view or reach of unprotected windows
- Ride-on mowers have keys removed and are secured by wheel clamps or padlocks/chains
- Ladders are locked inside or chained and padlocked to a wall or fence
5th Layer - Detection
Intruder alarms deter theft and are a reliable means of alerting someone to any break in. The BSIA and The RISC Authority also publish guides on Intruder Alarms. In general terms:
- Only use a competent installer, e.g. an NSI or SSAIB ‘approved’ alarm company
- Always use the alarm if leaving your home unattended, even if only ‘popping out’ for a few moments
- Consider part setting the alarm when you retire to bed at night
- If neighbours are not your key holders, ask them to keep key holder contact details
6th Layer - Removing/Reducing Attraction
Theft of items can sometimes be avoided, or their attraction reduced, by the following:
- Removal of valuable items to a secure store, e.g. to a bank vault
- Use of overt or covert ‘security marking’ products, e.g. supplied by companies such as Redweb, Selectamark and Smartwater
- Displaying notices/window stickers to advertise your security measures
7th Layer - Internal Barriers
Hinder access to main rooms/valuables by:
- Locking internal doors. Note: Consider this with care, as without an intruder alarm thieves may cause undetected and extensive damage forcing them open.
- Using a security safe to store jewellery, watches, small valuables and items such as cash, credit cards, passports, etc. Select a safe by its recognised ‘jewellery rating’, as confirmed by your insurers
- Concealing larger high value items, within the home, if you are away for some time
8th Layer – Recovery
Following theft of items of sentimental or historic value, most owners would prefer to recover rather than replace them. However, without adequate proof of ownership the police may not be able to return any recovered items, so:
- Have suitable items ‘security marked’
- Record serial numbers of electrical goods, mowers and plant, etc
- Take photographs of antiques, clocks, pictures, silver, ceramics, jewellery, etc
- Record identifying features likely to be only known to you, e.g. makers' names, marks, chips, scratches, repairs, etc
Insurance
When faced with a loss, insurance is a recognised means by which financial recompense can be provided, so:
- Ensure that any insurance cover and related sums insured are adequate. Note: Historic items can be hard to value, so a professional valuation is advisable.
- Ensure any insurer conditions re: locks and alarms, etc, are observed
Key Action Steps
- Review current security arrangements, particularly those for valuables
- Source security devices and systems from competent suppliers/contractors
- Review security in the event of any theft
Useful Contacts
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