22
Nov
2017
By Calvin at 09:56 GMT, 6 years ago
Our friends in Essex Police recently sent us the following useful tips for publication on our news page:
- With all the additional Christmas food and drink, presents and other goodies stored within garages and outbuildings, ensure that they are hidden out of sight and the buildings are securely locked with good quality and well-fitted locks. Treat your shed to a shed alarm this Christmas!
- Avoid tempting window shopping burglars; don’t leave presents and valuables on full view in front of a window.
- Don’t attract burglars to your home by leaving it in darkness; leave lights on, operate them on timers and perhaps treat yourself to a TV simulator too [Fake TV].
- Lock gates and keep unwanted visitors from getting to the rear of your home.
- Whether on an evening out or Christmas shopping keep your bags, handbags, wallets and mobiles safe. Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief and pickpockets, so be alert at all times.
- Don’t leave valuables and gifts on display in your car.
- When you go to leave the house and find that your car is all iced up, don’t leave it unattended with the engine running to de-ice it. It only takes a second to steal your car and it would invalidate any insurance claim.
- When attending a Christmas party plan your return home in advance. Don’t use unlicensed taxis. Ensure you drink responsibly and are aware of your surroundings, whilst keeping your drink and belongings safe. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has more advice.
- Be careful about what you post on social media. Try not to broadcast your activity and information about the gifts you have received when not at home.
- After Christmas don’t advertise your nice gifts to the thieves by putting out the empty boxes for collection undisguised. Fold them up inside-out or put them inside other non-descript boxes and bags.
- Register your new property free on www.immobilise.com Install tracking and security apps on relevant electrical and computer products.
- Have a Great Christmas and New Year!! For further crime prevention advice see: www.essex.police.uk/advice/
Thanks to Essex Police and especially to Stephen Armson-Smith, the Crime Prevention Tactical Adviser and Architectural Liaison Officer for the Braintree and Uttlesford Districts.
Starting 1st December I’ll be publishing my own Christmas Crime Prevention Tips right through to the end of the month. Do please give them the Twitter treatment and let’s all have a trouble free time through December.
