Tips for keeping your home safe this summer

Tips for keeping your home safe this summer

We are appealing for information regarding suspicious activity around houses on the Marpool estate, Kidderminster on the 10 April 2026, around 8PM. An unknown male has approached a property and looked through the front door of a house and also looked at cars on the drive. The male is described as being in his late 30's with a shaved head and goatee beard, dressed in dark clothing. The person also had a dog with him.

Please call us on 101 if you have any information regarding that can help us identify this person.

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

The West Mercia Police website offers further crime prevention advice:

Crime prevention advice | West Mercia Police

Neighbourhood Watch | West Mercia Police

You can also reply to this email if you have any questions, and I will get back in touch.

To report a crime follow the link below or call 101.

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

In an emergency, please call 999.

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Dave Foden
(Police, Police Community Support Officer, North Worcestershire)