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.
