Wiltshire Police today launched their 2011 Christmas Safety Campaign, with the focus on the prevention of crime and advice on how to keep valuables, homes and vehicles safe.
The festive season is particularly tempting for criminals as they expect to find gifts and high value goods in people’s homes and cars, say the police.
It is important that homeowners keep their house secure and that they take precautions in order to stop opportunistic criminals.
Towns will be very busy and with the increased number of people, police say it will be easier for purse thieves to strike unnoticed.
“So, when out shopping, keep your purse and handbag near you and don’t carry large amounts of cash,” reads the advice.
“Mobile phones and wallets in back pockets are also a target so keep them secure. Be careful at cash machines and when paying with your card, shield your PIN and remember never to give the number to anyone, even bank staff.”
More shoppers mean more cars in car parks, full of goodies for opportunistic thieves. The police advise:
- Remove Satellite Navigation systems and clean away suction marks on the window.
- Make sure car doors, windows and sun roofs are all properly closed and locked.
- Remove your stereo if you can, mark it with the vehicle registration number if you can’t.
- Do not leave Christmas presents or other valuables like laptops, mobile phones, handbags, credit cards, cheque books or vehicle documents in your car. If it is unavoidable – place them in the boot and ensure equipment is completely switched off.
- Leave your glove box open to show there is nothing in it.
- Leave nothing on show – you may know that there is no wallet in your jacket, but a thief will break a window just to check.
- If you own a van, make sure you remove tools overnight and display an appropriate sign in the rear window making this clear.
So, you’ve kept your Christmas gifts safe when out shopping; now keep them safe at home:
- NEVER open your door to anyone that hasn’t made an appointment, even if you are expecting them always check their identification and if you are at all suspicious contact Wiltshire Police.
- All doors should be fitted with a minimum of 5 lever mortice locks
- All windows should be fitted with locks except any designated as fire escape
- Close and lock all windows and doors when leaving the house, even if you are just going into the garden.
- Keep front and back doors locked while you are in your home to prevent persons walking in without your knowledge
- Close all windows when leaving a room, especially those at the front of the house.
- Double check that all doors and windows are locked at night.
- Keep valuable items out of view and reach of windows and doors.
- Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like a plant pot or letterbox – a thief knows all the hiding places.
- Keep car keys out of sight, never leave them on view in a hallway
- Hide financial documents – if someone does break in you don’t want them to also steal from your bank account
- Lock tools and ladders away so that a thief cannot use them to break in.
- Never leave a shed or garage unlocked, even when you are gardening and especially if it has a connecting door to your property.
- Make sure you have good lighting around your property and consider investing in a burglar alarm.
- Secure the rear access to your home. A thief is less likely to be seen at the rear of your property.
- Make sure any hedging at the front of your property is no higher than one meter. This will allow passersby to see anyone acting suspiciously.
- Mark all valuable items with a property marking system identifiable to you.
- Take photographs of all jewellery including hallmarks and keep them safe. Do not leave valuable jewellery in a box on your dressing table; it’s the first place a thief will look.
- Make a list of the serial number of your electronic items and keep it safe.
- Make sure you have up-to-date contents insurance.
- Register all electronic items and any others with serial numbers at sites such as www.immobilise.co.uk
- Join your local Neighbourhood Watch. If there isn’t one, consider setting one up yourself.
- And after all the fun of Christmas make sure you don’t put your rubbish out too early, putting your packing and boxes on display will advertise all the new items you have in your home, giving thieves a shopping list to choose from.
Throughout December there will be increased patrols in key areas of Wiltshire towns, particularly during the evenings and weekends when alcohol is a major factor.
Police say they will be working closely with partners to crack down on anti social behaviour. Neighbourhood Policing Teams will also be out and about giving out crime prevention advice and discussing any concerns in the community.
Over the next few weeks, advice will be issued from the Wiltshire Fire Service, NHS and the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) with essential information on how to keep safe over the festive season.
Chief Superintendant Steve Hedley said: “Christmas should be a time to enjoy and not one to spend detailing the items you have had stolen to a police officer.”
“We encourage everyone to take action as most of the measures we have suggested cost nothing and are very easy to implement.”
“By making sure that you don’t leave gifts and valuables in cars, keeping doors and windows secured, marking property and most importantly reporting any suspicious activity you can help prevent yourself and members of your community from becoming a victim and having Christmas celebrations ruined.”
“Throughout the year, we ask that people keep an eye out for those more vulnerable neighbours and it is important to reiterate this message. Distraction burglars and bogus callers continue to target the elderly and vulnerable and we need your help to stop them. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, take their description and details of any vehicle including direction of travel and call us.”
Further information about crime prevention can be obtained from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team who can be contacted on 101 or visit the website www.wiltshire.police.uk
