Crime Prevention Officers from your local Divisional Headquarters are always on hand to give free, confidential and specialist advice on domestic security. The Police would always prefer that your house is not broken into and appreciate the upset and distress this particular crime can cause. By following the basic advice in this factsheet, not only will you make lif
e difficult for the criminal, you will go a long way to ensuring the security and safety of your home and family.
Systematic approach
When considering the security of your home, try to take a systematic approach - which can be compared with peeling an onion! See diagram below. Look at each layer as representing the various barriers, ranging from your surroundings - on the outside – down to your possessions in the centre - the factsheet follows this process.
The Onion Theory
Onion Graph
Your District
Security of your home doesn’t start with your doors and windows; security and safety starts in the wider community. A caring community can have many benefits, which can extend beyond Crime Prevention and Community Safety.
Your Neighbours
There is nothing like alert and observant neighbours to add to your home security. Not through ‘nosiness’, rather a common concern for others. Community spirit can go a long way towards making an area safer and more pleasant to live in. You don’t need to live on each other’s ‘doorsteps’ but good neighbourliness can be a first move towards a safer community.
Crime Prevention Panels
Crime Prevention Panels or Community Safety Groups are made up of local people seeking solutions to their own problems. Experience has shown that there can be great benefit when the strong, committed collective voice of an area is heard. Whilst these organisations are supported by the Police, it is most important that they make the decisions to meet their own specific problems.
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch deals mainly with the development of communication within local communities. It naturally follows that people are who concerned about their neighbourhood are also concerned about crime prevention. “When my neighbours are away, what can I do to look after their property? Will they do the same for me?”
Approach
All homes are different, however, the basics of a crimeprevention survey remain the same. Step back and think:
* How close is the nearest house?
* How good is the street lighting?
* Are there trees and shrubs, which could providecover for a thief?
* What lies to the back of the house?
The answers to these questions can give you a thief’s-eye view of your property. Does it look an attractive proposition?
Perimeters
The perimeter of your home is an important factor in the security of your home. Fences, gates and hedges should be maintained in good order to provide a solid barrier.
If you live in an open-plan area, you can let people know where the public area ends and your private area starts by the use of low-level dense or thorny planting, or by the use of psychological barriers such as changes in the colour and texture of the roadways and footways and the use of symbolic barriers such as pillars and traffic-calming ramps at entrances.
External
Can a Thief Hide?
Although trees, plants and shrubbery can make your garden attractive, if uncontrolled, these can give cover to a thief.
Outbuildings
Garden Sheds, garages and greenhouses can contain items of value to a thief, not only to steal, as they can be costly, but to use to affect an entry into your home.
Vehicles
If you have a driveway, it is a temptation to assume that your ‘private space’ is secure and that an unlocked vehicle is safe. It only takes seconds to lock and secure your car - the same time it takes a thief to steal it!
If you have a garage, it is definitely the best place for your car particularly overnight, giving it that extra layer of security. You may ask “Do I really have to clear out that garage?” - the answer is “Yes!”
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Lighting
Good lighting can act as a visible deterrent to thieves who do not wish to be seen. it is advisable to have automatic lights operating from dusk to dawn.
Bins and Storage Areas
How many items within your boundary could act as a stepping-stone or a ladder for a thief? Do you have dustbins or a storage area? Do they need to be where they are now or would they better be re-sited?
Shell
You have arrived home, no one is in and you have forgotten your keys !Look for a way in which would cause minimal damage? If you can get in this way so can a thief! Did you know that 30% of housebreakings occur where a door or window has been left open? Most of these occur in daylight and nearly all are committed when the house is empty.
Things to do:
* Fit locks to ground floor doors and windows, especially to the rear
* Fit locks to upstairs windows which overlook flat roofs
* Ensure that all doors, particularly patio doors have adequate locks
* Make sure that outhouses and sheds have adequate locks on doors and windows. There are many inexpensive battery operated alarm systems designed specifically for sheds.
Key Security
Locks can be very secure but not if keys are left in them! Never leave keys in keyholes or under the mat etc., when you are out. If thieves get into your house they will immediately look for an escape route. Don’t make it easy for them.
Property Marking
If a thief knows that your property has been marked with some form of identification, it immediately loses its attraction, as it is easier to identify and harder to sell on. Mark your property with your postcode and house number by use of an ultra-violet pen, etching, die stamping or DNA coding. You should also attach a sticker, which states this has been marked. It is advisable to take photographs of items of value such as jewellery, ornaments, etc. remember to place an item in the photograph, which gives and indication of the article’s size (e.g. a ruler).
Safes
It is worth considering a small safe in which to keep your valuables. Remember it needs to be secured to a solid wall or the floor.
Alarms
If you are considering fitting one, make sure it is compatible with the lifestyle of your family otherwise it ill fall into the disrepute and may not be used, the police only respond to activation of remote signalling systems which are installed and maintained by companies who conform to the CPOS Security Systems Policy. For further advice please contact your Local community safety department.
When You Are Away
Milk and Papers - Remember to cancel your orders.
Mail - Post left in a letterbox or in a pile can be avoided by asking the Post Office to hold your post.
Neighbours - Always tell them when the house will be empty and leave them a set of keys.
