The Crime Prevention Website

Last week I got the usual annual shock (so how can it be a shock?) to see that Marks and Spencer were already selling Xmas stuff at their store in Uxbridge, so it’s no wonder why our friends in Essex Police Crime Prevention are already handing out crime prevention advice to those of you who are intending to make a big early shop for Xmas!

Here are their tips, which notice start before you even leave the house.

  1. Garden tools securely locked away in the shed – Burglars will be happy to use your tools to break into your house
  2. Create the illusion your home is occupied. Operate  a radio and lights on a timer in rooms you would normally occupy. There’s even a device called “Fake TV” that flashes a series of lights when it gets dark that looks like the TV is on
  3. Lock up properly; not just your windows and doors in the house, but also any gates and outbuildings
  4. Choose a “Park Mark” car park where you can. By choosing a Park Mark® Safer Parking facility you are visiting a car park that has been vetted by the Police and has measures in place in order to create a safer environment for both you and your vehicle
  5. Leave nothing in sight within your car. Remove the “Sat Nav” cradle and clean the mark on the windscreen
  6. When you lock your car with the remote look for the light flash confirmation or better still try the door handle before leaving the car
  7. Now you’re starting your shop watch your purse, wallet, mobile phone and handbag, especially in busy places. Don’t leave them on display in bags or on counters while you pay and while you’re paying watch that no one is watching you entering your PIN when making purchases or withdrawing cash
  8. Time to stop for lunch or a cuppa? Don’t drop your guard.  Don’t leave your mobile phone on the table, your shopping by the chair, your wallet or purse visible or your coat, jacket or handbag over the chair. If a thief sees these things the thief will steal them
  9. Need to off load some of those purchases in the car?  Look around. Are you being watched? Repeat 5 and 6 above!
  10. Time go home. Don’t fall for any distractions while you load the car, i.e. “Excuse me, but you’ve dropped some money” says the distraction thief pointing to cash on the ground who then whips something from out of the boot.  “Can you tell me the way to….” says the distraction thief whilst holding a map, while a second thief steals from the blind side of your vehicle.  Close and lock your car before speaking to anyone

This information is useful for all of us in the UK, but if you live in Essex and need further crime prevention advice use the contact information below.

Further crime prevention advice can be obtained by contacting Stephen Armson-Smith, the Braintree & Uttlesford Crime Prevention Officer on extn 407110, or Angie Pearson, the Colchester Crime Prevention Officer extn 436127 using the Police Non-Emergency number of 101, or see https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/  .

If you know who is committing crime or handling stolen property call Essex Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

I’ll be writing more about shopping safety in November, but if you can’t wait here’s a link to my own page about the subject - Christmas Shopping Tips

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