Be Secure Campaign

Be Secure – in your home

Be secure – lock your doors

Sneak thieves love an opportunity – make sure you lock external doors to empty rooms when you’re busy in another part of the house.

Top tips for home safety:

Securing your home:

Ø      Close all windows and lock all doors before leaving the house

Ø      If you have a burglar alarm, use it

Ø      Keep your front and back doors locked even when at home

Ø      Ensure you have the back door locked when answering the front door. Don’t give someone the chance to sneak in while you are distracted

Your valuables:

Ø      Never leave your house or car keys on view near a door or window.

Ø      Never leave valuables, such as your purse, money or mobile phone on view

When you’re out or when you’re away:

Ø      Always leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour or friend rather than try to hide it under a flowerpot or a doormat, as these are the first places that thieves will look

Ø      When you go out, leave your house so it looks like you are in – leave a light on or consider using a timer switch on lights or a radio. An occupied home is a far less appealing target for a burglar

Ø      Don’t advertise the fact that you are on holiday. If you can, get a trusted neighbour or friend to look after your home when you are on holiday.

Personal safety at home:

Ø      If you live in a flat or an apartment never open the main entrance door to strangers or hold it open for people who appear to be entering just as you are leaving. You don’t know who you are letting into your home.

Ø      Most callers are genuine. However, beware of bogus callers who can use guises such as desperately needing to use a phone or a bathroom to enter your home. Use viewfinders and door chains. Always ask for ID.

Ø      If you think that a bogus caller has visited take notes of their description and inform your safer neighbourhoods policing team

Outside your home:

Ø      Do not leave the boxes/packaging of new equipment you have just bought outside your home. They will advertise to a burglar your new purchases

Ø      Try and avoid leaving tools such as lawnmowers, ladders and hedge clippers outside when not in use, instead lock them inside the shed or chain them to a ground anchor. Not only may they get stolen, but they are handy tools for a burglar

Mark your property:

Ø      Mark all your valuable belongings with your post code and house number, or the first two letters of your house name, with an ultraviolet pen. Not only is marked property less appealing to a burglar, but also increases the chance of stolen property being returned to the rightful owner

Ø      Take pictures of all your valuable objects and note the make, model and serial number where applicable.

Ø      Register your property at www.immobilise.com

Be Secure – in your car

Move it or lose it

Take valuables with you when you park up – do not tempt thieves

Top tips for vehicle safety:

Security:

Ø      Lock the doors and close all windows and sun roof when you leave the car

Ø      Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just nipping to pay for petrol, into your garage or de-icing your car

Ø      Consider purchasing a professionally fitted car alarm

Ø      Use electronic engine immobilisers

Ø      Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave your vehicle

Personal items:

Ø      Never leave anything on display when you leave your vehicle. Even an old coat or a plastic bag can tempt a thief.

Ø      Don’t leave shopping bags on display. If you do have to leave them in the vehicle, put them in the boot out of sight

Ø      Remove the stereo if you can

Ø      Never leave sat navs on display, and wipe away the suction marks from the windscreen. Don’t leave the sat nav system in the glove compartment or under the seat – a thief would know where to look.

Parking safely:

Ø      Park with care. Try and park your vehicle in a busy area which is covered by CCTV and has sufficient lighting. If possible, use a Park Mark car park (i.e. security approved car parks)

Ø      When parking at home, always use your garage if you have one, and lock both your vehicle and your garage. If you don't have a garage, try to park in a well-lit, open place or a driveway.

Marking your property:

Ø      Consider having your vehicle registration number or the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows, both windscreens and your headlamps.

Ø      Mark all your equipment, like your car stereo, with your vehicle registration number.  Register your property at www.immobilise.com