Have you taken steps to protect your home from burglary this winter?

This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.

Have you taken a few simple steps to protect your home from opportunist thieves this winter?

At this time of year there are traditionally more opportunist burglaries particularly between 5pm and 7pm when it is dark outside and people are yet to return home from work.
Officers will be patrolling neighbourhoods and burglary hot-spot areas across the area to identifying houses that may be at greater risk of burglary.

Here's a few things you can do to protect your property:

• Don’t leave your home in darkness advertising the fact there is no one at home. Invest in a timer light switch and vary the time it comes on each day to make it look more natural. It can also be used with a radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home;
• Perhaps purchase a fake/simulated TV device which lights up a room like a real TV;
• Keep valuables out of sight and mark them with your house number and postcode using a UV pen;
• Register your valuables via the Immobilise website and keep an inventory list. It’s free and takes just a few minutes;
• If you have jewellery at home, photograph it for insurance purposes and consider storing it in a suitable safe;
• Lock your doors and windows. If you have a UPVC door make sure you have double-locked it by lifting the handle and locking it with the key. Make sure the key is removed from the lock and out of reach;
• If you’re going away, remember not to post details of your holiday on social networking websites, cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries and, if you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set before you leave;
• Look out for your neighbours’ houses, especially when they’re not at home, and call 999 immediately if you see anything suspicious. If you want to report something which does not require an immediate response call Thames Valley Police’s non-emergency number 101.

For further crime reduction advice they can visit the Crime Prevention section of the TVP website.

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Volunteer Mentoring/Befriending with PACT

Volunteering of any description is so important.
We all have different skills, interests and passions and to have the chance to share some of those skills is a privilege!
Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) provides support to offenders during their sentence and in the community, our Volunteer Mentors encourage full integration and social inclusion.  Mentors provide such important and vital support to those who want to move forward with their life.
We are looking for people who can encourage others, have a reliable and dependable attitude and have great communication skills!

 As a volunteer mentor there is no end to the list of support you could be providing and activities you could do, but all of the support makes a huge difference to motivation, self-esteem and choices in life, as they re-enter society.
We provide foundation and ongoing training and all our volunteers have regular support and opportunities to further their skills and knowledge.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for MK and Bucks, Mim McConachie on: 07791548511 or email: miriam.mcconachie@prisonadvice.org.uk

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