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Keep your home safe during the darker nights

Dear Residents, 

 

We have some top tips to help keep you and your home safe this summer and deter potential burglars.

During the hot weather people understandably like to have their windows and doors open, however this can make a home more vulnerable to intruders.

Here’s some advice to keep in mind during warmer weather: 

•  Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you leave the house – even if you’re only popping out for a few minutes!

•  Make sure to lock away ladders at all times

•  Keep front, patio and back doors closed and locked when you are elsewhere in the house or the garden

•  Trimming hedges and trees at the front of your property removes opportunities for burglars to hide out of sight

•  Consider growing prickly hedges or roses around the perimeter of your back garden – these are known as defensive plants and provide a level of deterrence

•  Installing a dusk to dawn security light (at head height by front and back doors) – this increases levels of surveillance and will deter offenders 

•  Intruder alarm systems and CCTV will improve security – not to be replaced of basic security methods!

•  Make sure to keep garden sheds and other outbuildings locked at all times

•  Secure side gates and keep them well maintained with padlocks on

•  Keep valuables out of sight and away from windows and doors

•  Lock your bike away in a secure shed or garage

•  Clear or hide heavy, loose debris from garden areas such as bricks, slabs etc. as these can be used to access your home

Going away?

  • If you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends – you don’t want potential burglars to know your house will be unattended!
  • Leave lights and a radio on a timer to make your house appears occupied
  • Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property, or you could join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to keep in touch with those in your street
  • Consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark
  • If your driveway will be empty – you could also ask a neighbour to park on there to deter burglars from breaking in
  • Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries – you don’t want these piling up on your doorstep!

    • Our website offers further crime prevention advice: 

    Crime prevention advice | West Mercia Police

    If you need us, you can contact us directly by replying to this message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also get in touch via our website:

    https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ 

    Or in an emergency please call 999.

    Thank you for your support. 

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    Message Sent By
    Ryan Davies
    (West Mercia Police, Constable, Arleston, College & Wellington)
    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials