Summer burglary prevention advice

Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime, often leaving victims feeling scared and vulnerable in their own home.

Sgt Robinson of the Goole NPT said: “The neighbourhood teams in our area are out and about speaking and offering advice to residents to help people protect their homes by making them less appealing to those looking to commit crime.

“As the warmer weather starts to take hold, we are more inclined to leave windows and even doors open. This can present thieves with an opportunity to commit crime, so we would advise closing and locking all doors and windows when you are not in the room.

“I would urge anyone with information about those committing offences to get in touch. Similarly, please call us if you see something suspicious. It may not seem like much at the time, but it might be the missing piece of the jigsaw that enables us to take action.”

Help protect your home from burglary:

• Make sure your doors and windows are closed and locked when you’re not in the room. Nearly half of all burglaries are the result of a door or window being open
• During the warmer months, try to shut windows that could be accessible to opportunist thieves
• Make sure nothing of value (including car keys) is left on show to tempt thieves into your property
• Think about fitting a burglar alarm and security lighting – both to your home and outbuildings. It may be expensive, but they are very effective deterrents and can bring down your insurance costs
• Make sure sheds and garages have good quality lock and hinges
• Consider fitting deterrents in the garden like movement-sensitive floodlights, as these will leave thieves feeling exposed
• Report any suspicious activity by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• If there is an emergency or a crime in progress dial 999
• To assist the police in recovering and returning stolen property, register your valuables on http://www.immobilise.com

If you are spending some time away from home, visiting family and friends or on holiday, don’t leave your house looking unoccupied:

• Leave curtains and blinds open – nothing reveals that a house is unoccupied so much as curtains drawn during the day
• Cancel milk and newspapers and any other regular deliveries
• Don’t tell everyone you’re on holiday, but ask a neighbour to remove free newspapers and post from your doormat if they can be seen through a glass panel or through the letterbox
• Install a light on a timer switch that comes on in the evening
• Keep valuables out of sight and don’t leave them where they can be seen through a window.
   

For more handy advice visit: https://www.humberside.police.uk/protect-your-home