Warning from Home Watch Team

As the dark nights start to draw in can I urge all to remember the importance of being vigilant. During this period there is less natural surveillance as most people draw their curtains earlier, rush home to get in out of the cold and passers by may not observe suspicious behaviour the same due to the cover of darkness. Please take as many steps as possible to keep their homes safe this winter.

1.) Ensure that you make your property appear occupied. If you are later back from work or are going out at night make sure that you set a timer switch so that a light will come on in your property during the evening. This simple measure gives the appearance of someone being at home. Timer switches can be purchased from most large DIY stores for a reasonable cost.

2.) Don't make life easy for opportunist thieves – make sure you utilise the security that is already in place by locking doors and windows both when you leave the property and also when you are in your home and are occupied elsewhere as it only takes a matter of seconds for an opportunist to sneak in and take an item.

Despite numerous warnings, unfortunately, we are still having some instances of sneak in burglaries in the area,

Ensure that you take the time to double check that doors, windows, vehicles and outbuildings are properly secured before retiring for bed. An unlocked door of any kind provides a burglar with an easy option.

3.) It is important that any suspicious or out of the ordinary behaviour is reported directly to the police at the time. Usually gut instincts are correct so if something looks or seems suspicious it is worth making a call to the police so that they have an opportunity to check it out. If there is a crime in progress (or you suspect a crime is in progress) call 999. If you want to report suspicious behaviour please contact 0845 458 0000.

Hayley Goodwin, Home Watch Team Co-ordinator

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