The Crime Prevention Website

It’s that time of year again folks.  There’s a hint of spring about the air; the days are now officially getting longer and in the UK the clocks are going forward on Sunday (at 01:00). What more do we need to start planning and doing stuff to improve our home security?

For those of you new to home security and for those who are living in a new place you might be wondering where to start.

Wonder no more!

Here’s my brief guide to get you started:

  • Carry out a FREE Home Security Survey on this site to find out what your home needs – there are 8 dwelling types to choose from.  We are a secure site, by the way, and should you choose to download the resulting security report your email address will never be used again for any other purpose – ever!
  • Make sure you are complying with everything that your insurers have demanded. This is a very important aspect as certain security measures will be a condition of your insurance cover
  • Do those 'no' or 'low cost' items, such as locking tools away, marking your property, closing and locking the doors and windows properly, not displaying the contents of your home to the street by using blinds and nets etc.
  • Do what you can to make your place look occupied when it's not, such as buying some timers or 'dusk to dawn' sensors for your lights and following the Holiday Checklist should you be away for a few days.
  • Look at the things you can do to reduce access to the more vulnerable parts of your dwelling, such as improving the fences or maybe erecting a gate to the front of the side drive.
  • Check that the garden is free of tools and other things that could be used to force open a door or window. Lock these things away in a secure shed or other outbuilding.
  • Do consider purchasing an intruder alarm, which the British Crime Survey (Now the Crime Survey for England and Wales) finding strongly suggests is an effective deterrent and consider installing some CCTV cameras some of which can work in conjunction with your alarm
  • If you're thinking about replacing your doors and windows, do get ones that are certificated to the enhanced security standards (e.g. PAS 24: 2016).
  • Once you've followed a few of the recommendations carry out another survey to see how your risk assessment score has changed
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