13/12/11…12 days to Christmas – Don?t become a victim of burglary

CHRISTMAS is a busy time of year for everyone, but ensuring your home is properly protected against festive crime should be made a priority.

Ch Insp Geoff Robinson, Head of Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships, said: ?Having bought all those wonderful presents, don’t make it easy for someone to steal them from your home.

?Keep presents out of sight until last thing on Christmas Eve and if you ‘hide’ or store larger items such as bicycles in the shed or outbuildings, make sure they are very secure.

?Don’t leave curtains open so people can see your decorations as potential thieves can see in. Be extra careful about locking doors and windows. As a fire precaution, don’t leave Christmas lights on in the house while you are out.

?If you go out for the evening, make it look like someone is at home by turning on lights and the radio. If you go away for the holiday period – use an automatic timer for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home.

?If you have high value presents like a new laptop, mobile phone or games console, please dispose of the packaging with care. Just leaving it next to the bin with the other rubbish will advertise what you have inside your home for all to see. Fold it up and put it in the bin or take it to the recycling centre?.

Consider property marking high value items with your postcode and house number. This will put a thief off as the property can be easily identified as stolen, and if it is stolen, this will assist the police in getting your property back to you. Also, keep a record of the serial numbers of expensive items.

Some basic burglary prevention advice is bullet pointed below.

Remember to close and lock all windows and doors, even if you only leave the house for a few minutes.
Most burglars will only steal items that are easy to carry and sell on such as jewellery and small electrical items ? like laptops, mobile phones and cameras. Often, the first place they look is the bedroom for jewellery and money. Consider hiding jewellery and money away in a place that only you would know about.

Lock items away when you leave the house and do not leave them on display in front of a window. This advice applies to Christmas presents too.

If you have a high value present such as a new laptop, mobile phone or games console, dispose of the packaging with care. Leaving it next to the bin with the other rubbish will advertise what you have it in the house for all to see. Fold it up and put it in the bin or take it to the recycling centre.

Consider property marking the high value items with your postcode and house number. This will put the thief off as the property can be easily identified as stolen, and if it is stolen, this will assist the police to get your property back for you. Also, make sure you keep a record of the serial numbers.
Ensure you have a good lock on your garden shed and consider getting an alarm fitted. Always keep bikes stored somewhere safe.

For further crime prevention advice or to find out more about crime in your area, follow us on Twitter @ThamesVP OR alternatively you can give us a ?like? on Facebook.

Alternatively you can also visit our webdsite or call and ask to speak to a Crime Reduction Adviser via the non-emergency number, 101.

SOURCE: Press release PHOTO: Courtesy of Essex Police