Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Advice to halt crime

POLICE have issued a reminder to home owners about the dangers of leaving windows and doors open as the weather gets warmer and Spring approaches.
‘Lock it or lose it’ is the message being handed out by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams as part of a seasonal message to reduce the opportunities to burglars caused by insecure premises.
On the whole, burglary is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select a target because it offers the best opportunity to commit crime without fear of detection and with the least number of obstacles in the way.
A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured.
When the weather gets warmer, people will automatically spend more time outside in the garden or leave doors and windows open to let air into the house.
Open or unlocked windows and doors are an open invitation for sneak-in burglars. It only takes a few minutes for a thief to grab things like car keys, mobile phones, handbags or wallets.
PC Richard Beeforth, of the East Riding Safe Communities Team, said: “Sneaking in through open doors is too common occurrence in the spring and summer months. The offenders are not master criminals, but instead opportunists walking around residential areas looking for possible insecure properties.
“Burglaries cause the victims a huge amount of distress, as well as time, sorting out insurance claims and in some case changing locks throughout the property in cases where keys are taken.
“Don’t become a victim of this type of crime. If your home is insecure it may only take seconds for the thief to gain entry and steal property.”
Police have issued basic crime prevention measures so you can reduce the risk of being targeted by burglars.
Advice includes locking doors immediately when you return home, keep doors and easy access windows locked, even if you are in the house or garden and to lock garden gates at all times. Police also advise keeping valuables out of sight where possible and making sure you have your postcode and house number marked on any valuables with UV marker pen.
If you would like further crime prevention advice, contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team by calling Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222.

(reproduced from the Beverley Guardian, 14th March 2011)

Gardien Tip:  The most common way for burglars to gain access is via the back garden, often using tools from the shed or simply lying around in the garden. See our specialist advice on shed security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm

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