Burglary

Reduce the risk of burglary and keep your home and belongings safe by taking simple measures. Here are some tips to help you enhance your home's security:

1. Lock Doors and Windows: Always lock your doors and windows, even if you step out for a few minutes. An unlocked door or window is an open invitation to burglars.
2. Keep Keys Safe: Keep all keys out of sight and away from the letterbox. Thieves can use devices to hook keys through the letterbox.
3. Install an Alarm: Fit an intruder alarm in a visible location and ensure it's in working order by testing it regularly.
4. Use Security Lights: Install security lights to deter burglars and illuminate your property at night.
5. Create the Illusion: When you're out at night, leave a radio or lights on timers, and draw the curtains to look your home occupied.
6. Cancel Deliveries: Cancel deliveries before going on a vacation to avoid your home looking vacant.
7. Be a Good Neighbour: Keep an eye on each other's properties and report anything suspicious.
8. Store Tools Away: Don't leave ladders and tools outside your home, as they can be useful to break into your home.
9. Mark Your Property: Mark your belongings with your postcode and house number. Register your property online for free with Immobilise.
10. Safeguard Valuables: Keep high-value items, like jewellery and passports, in a secure place.
11. Get Home Insurance: Invest in home insurance. It's a small cost compared to replacing stolen possessions, but remember, your insurance may not cover you if you neglect to lock your house.
12. Join Neighbourhood Watch: Consider joining or establishing a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Sign up for our local messaging scheme, "In the Know", to stay informed.

Reporting a burglary

If you have been a victim of a burglary, you can report it in the following ways:

• Call 999 if it's an emergency and burglary is still occurring or has happened recently.
• Call 101 if the crime is not severe and doesn't need immediate attention.

For help or more information about burglary, contact your nearest police station.