All good common sense approaches. This in from the Police. Ed
Police on the Isle of Wight remind residents to take security precautions at home before Christmas.
Police on the Isle of Wight are reminding residents about security precautions to protect their homes for Christmas and the new year.
The island’s local Safer Neighbourhoods teams are on extra patrols in residential and shopping areas this month to give advice that can help stop criminals who will try to spoil Christmas for the law-abiding majority.
Walk-in burglary
The Newport Safer Neighbourhoods team is investigating a report of a walk-in burglary at a bungalow in Queens Road in Newport sometime between midday and midnight on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 when the owners were at home.
A wallet, bank cards, keys, and an estimated £100 in cash were among the items reported stolen.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Fiona Hyslop of the Newport Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “House burglary was reduced by 16 per cent on the island last year, but it is particularly important not to be complacent at this time of year when many of us are storing Christmas presents at home.
“My advice to people is to keep their doors and windows secure, even if they are at home. Please remove keys when they leave home, do not leave presents on show, and hide away valuables.
“Please consider using electrical timers for lights, and become involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. People in Newport are welcome to contact PC Joe Finch and myself for more information.”
More info and advice
Log onto the Hampshire Police Website, and click on the ‘Safer Homes’ section for more information, or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods teams by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
PCSO Fiona Hyslop and Isle of Wight Crime Prevention Officer Michala Bailey would like to take this opportunity to remind residents of the following crime prevention advice.
â— Make sure you secure all your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even if you are ‘just popping out’.
â— If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors are locked.
â— Keep valuable items out of view – if you have electrical equipment worth hundreds of pounds, don’t keep it by the window where passers-by can see it.
â— Never leave a key under a doormat, or on a string through the letterbox – it’s the first place any burglar will look.
â— Hide financial documents and keys – if someone does break in, you don’t want them to also steal from your bank account, or take your car.
â— Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – burglars will happily use your own garden equipment to break into your home.
â— Use timer switches to switch on lights, radios and other appliances when you’re out or away.
â— If you’ve taken extra security precautions, let would-be burglars know. If you have an alarm, make sure the box can be clearly seen.
â— If you take part in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, display a sticker in your window. If you’re interested in joining Neighbourhood Watch, please contact your local police station by phoning 101 or go online
â— If you have a dog, put up a warning sign.
â— SmartWater: a non-hazardous liquid, which can be used to mark property, or as a spray to shower intruders when they enter premises protected by the system. Each batch has a unique ‘DNA-type’ forensic code, tying its use to a specific location or item of property. Once a suspect has been sprayed, the SmartWater will fluoresce brightly as offenders walk under ultraviolet lights when they’re brought into custody at police stations. More information
Image: Quinn Anya under CC BY-SA 2.0
