Your Home
Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries, they don't even have to use force - they get in through an open door or window.
Have you ever looked at your home through a burglar's eyes? Try it, and see if you have any easy, unseen entry points. Have you fitted strong locks on all doors and windows? Could they break a window without anyone noticing? By taking some simple precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of burglary.
Are you fully insured? Insurance will relieve you of the financial worry of replacing stolen goods, and many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for people with good home security. Fit smoke detectors to give you those vital minutes in an instance of fire. And be a good neighbour.
For a relatively small price, you could make your home more secure and add peace of mind into the bargain.
It's worth it - you stand to lose too much otherwise.
A Better Place to Live, Work and Play
Most crime is opportunist, committed on the spur of the moment. And a home that has been burgled it is more likely to be burgled again than a home that hasn't. This means that there is enormous scope for reducing the chances of criminals, and Neighbourhood Watch schemes do just that by forming protective cocoons.
Targeting local problems such as vandalism and graffiti are also well within the scope of a Watch scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch is not just about cutting crime figures, however. It's about creating communities who care.
It brings local people together, and can make a real contribution to improving their lives. The activity of Watch members can foster a new community spirit and a belief in the community's ability to tackle problems. At the same time, you can feel secure, knowing your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property.
Don't Do Burglars a Favour
Doors - If your front and back doors aren't secure, then neither is your home. Make sure doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Glass panels around a door are especially vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass.
Windows - A third of burglars get in through a back window. Easily visible locks - without the keys still in place - may deter some thieves, because a lock forces the thief to break the glass and risk attracting attention.
You should fit key-operated locks to all downstairs windows, those that can't be seen from the street, and easily accessible upstairs windows. Even small windows such as skylights and bathroom fanlights need locks.
Louvre windows are especially vulnerable. You should glue the slats in place, and fit a special louvre lock. Better still, replace them with fixed glass.
Lighting - Good lighting can deter a thief. Most burglars will only tackle an empty house, so don't advertise your absence, even when you're away on holiday.
You can use time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances. Some exterior lights have an intra-red sensor that reacts to close movement. Better still, see if you can get a friend or neighbour to look after your home while you're away.
Burglar Alarms - Visible alarms make burglars think twice. There are a number of sophisticated alarm systems on the market ranging in price - whichever you opt for, you should get specialist advice before installing, a badly fitted alarm can create problems in itself. You should also consult your insurance company about which would suit your needs.
If You Live in a Flat - The most vulnerable part of your flat is likely to be the front door. Make sure it is as strong as the main door. Fit hinge bolts to stop to door being pulled off its hinges, and fit a steel strip to the door frame to strengthen it.
Consider having a door telephone entry system installed - never buzz anyone in unless you know them, or hold the door open for someone you don't know who is arriving.
The Spare Key - It's vital to have a spare set of keys - we're all human, we all forget or misplace our own keys from time to time - but you should never keep the spares in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat or in a flowerpot. These are the first places a thief will look. Give spare keys to a trusted neighbour or a family member.
If you've moved into a new place, consider changing the back and front door locks, as other people may still have keys that fit.
Outside - Garages and shed are often an Aladdin's Cave for a thief, full of tools and equipment that could be used to break into the rest of the house. Keep them locked with a strong padlock.
A ladder lying in the garden just makes a thief's job easier. Store them away in a shed/garage, or, if you don't have the space, chain or padlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket.
Check your gates and fences for weak spots, and fit a strong, lockable, high gate across a side passage to stop a thief getting to the back of the house. A thick or thorny hedge could act as a deterrent, but always be sure that the front of your house is visible to passers-by, so that a burglar can't work unseen.
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Behind it lies a simple idea, and a central value shared by millions of people around the country: Getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime.
Everyone knows that the police are there to fight crime, but they need your help to do an effective job. Neighbourhood Watch is all about an active partnership with the police. Schemes can:
- Cut crime and the opportunities for crime
- Help and reassure those who live in fear of crime
- Encourage neighbourhoods and closer communities
The extra security might even mean that you can get a premium discount from your insurance company.
Neighbourhood Watch - How Much Effort?
It's entirely up to you how much you contribute to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Some people have more free time than others, and may want to take a very active role as a committee member or even co-ordinator of a local Watch Scheme.
You may know something about marketing or communications, and can therefore volunteer to write and distribute newsletters, or publicise your local scheme's activities.
You may be in business locally and know of avenues to seek sponsorship for Watch activities.
Or your part may be as simple as keeping a look out while your neighbour is on holiday, making sure there are no tell-tale signs such as milk left on the doorstep that could attract a burglar to an empty house.
Everyone can do something that can make a difference.
Watch Schemes
Watch schemes are not police-run groups. But to be effective against crime they need to plan action in co-operation with the police, or any other agency such as the local authority.
It is essential to establish a close working relationship with your local police, and to share with them all information relating to crime and other incidents in your area.
Schemes can be large, covering, for example, most of the households on an estate, or may just involve half a dozen houses. It depends on the area and what the people living there want.
Generally, a volunteer co-ordinator will lead the team, whose job it is to get people working together and make sure things get done. Also, there is usually a committee that meets regularly to plan which problems to target and what action to take.
Useful Links
If you'd like further information on or help with Property Safety, please check out some of the links below:
Leaflets and Information
The Home Office web site offers information on a variety of Crime Reduction matters, including statistics, policies, advice and published material.