Police Messages
Residents are reminded to ensure their homes and vehicles are properly secured at all times.
As part of the force wide Operation Nemesis campaign Hampshire Constabulary offers the following advice:
Keep valuable items out of view – if you have electrical equipment worth hundreds of pounds, don’t keep it by the window where passers-by can see it.
· Never leave a key under a doormat or on a string through the letterbox – it’s the first place any burglar will look.
· Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – burglars will happily use your own garden equipment to break into your home.
· If you’ve taken extra security precautions, let would-be burglars know. If you have an alarm, make sure the box can be clearly seen. · If you take part in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, display a sticker in your window, and if you have a dog, put up a warning sign.
· Hide financial documents and keys – if someone does break in you don’t want them to also steal from your bank account or take your car.
· Make sure you secure all your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even if you are ‘just popping out’.
· If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors are locked – in the summer burglars can often just open the front door and help themselves.
· Deadlock your doors with the key – don’t just lift up the handle. · Make use of all door and window locks fitted in your home.
· Consider getting a letter box deflector.
· Keep house keys upstairs or store them near the door out of sight for easy access in an emergency.
· Keep your car keys away from the front door and store them somewhere safe.
· Keep handbags out of sight.
As part of the force wide Operation Nemesis campaign Hampshire Constabulary offers the following advice:
Keep valuable items out of view – if you have electrical equipment worth hundreds of pounds, don’t keep it by the window where passers-by can see it.
· Never leave a key under a doormat or on a string through the letterbox – it’s the first place any burglar will look.
· Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – burglars will happily use your own garden equipment to break into your home.
· If you’ve taken extra security precautions, let would-be burglars know. If you have an alarm, make sure the box can be clearly seen. · If you take part in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, display a sticker in your window, and if you have a dog, put up a warning sign.
· Hide financial documents and keys – if someone does break in you don’t want them to also steal from your bank account or take your car.
· Make sure you secure all your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even if you are ‘just popping out’.
· If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors are locked – in the summer burglars can often just open the front door and help themselves.
· Deadlock your doors with the key – don’t just lift up the handle. · Make use of all door and window locks fitted in your home.
· Consider getting a letter box deflector.
· Keep house keys upstairs or store them near the door out of sight for easy access in an emergency.
· Keep your car keys away from the front door and store them somewhere safe.
· Keep handbags out of sight.
HOME SECURITY CHALLENGE
How secure is your home? Probably not as secure as it should be. That’s why Neighbourhood Watch and Hampshire Constabulary are joining forces to help you improve your home safety and reduce the chances of becoming a burglary victim. To assist the police in preventing burglaries we need you to do your part by taking our home Security Challenge. Simply answer the questions below to identify how secure your home is. Where your home falls short in the security stakes, consider how you can rectify this to help protect your property and keep crime down.
Approaching the outside of your home
Does the exterior of your property have lighting for neighbours to view those accessing your property?
Answer no - install external dusk- to- dawn lighting or low level feature lighting.
Does your property have defensive planting under windows to prevent access to your home?
Answer no – plant shrubs of a defensive nature i.e. thorny bushes, roses, pyracanthus etc.
Is your property boundary enclosed with a fence?
Answer yes - putting trellis all the way around – including over gates can prevent unwanted access.
If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, is your window sticker visible?
Answer no - contact your local NW co-ordinator or police for details on how to join a scheme.
Do you have a notice in the door asking cold callers not to call?
Answer no - then contact Trading Standards or your NW co-ordinator for information.
Your Home
How secure are your front and back doors – do they feel solid and are the frames in good condition?
Answer no - go to www.securedbydesign.co.uk and look for the approved kite marked product or visit your local DIY suppliers for information.
If you have wooden doors, are they fitted with a 5 lever mortise lock which you always use?
Answer no – arrange for installation of an approved 5 lever mortise lock.
Do you have UPVC doors?
Answer yes – please ensure you lock the doors correctly by lifting the handle and using the key, or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on locking the door securely.
Do you have patio doors?
Answer yes – please check that they are fitted securely and cannot be externally lifted.
Are your windows fitted with locks?
Answer no - have a registered locksmith advise on the relevant locks for your specific windows.
Inside your Home and Your Garden
Do you use timer switches on lamps or radios when you are away from your property, to give the impression that the house is occupied?
Answer yes - please tell others to buy them - but do not advertise the fact that you use them.
Answer no – your local DIY suppliers should supply light timers or be able to advise on purchase.
Have you properly marked your general property?
Answer no – UV mark electricals, tools, CDs, DVDs, laptops and cameras etc with your house number and postcode.
Do you own antiques?
Answer yes - seek advice from a registered antique dealer as to the best way of properly marking particular items. This may be by using SmartWater.
Do you own jewellery?
Answer yes – and you have valuable items, ask advice from a registered jeweller and consider speaking to your bank about safekeeping. If your jewellery is not so valuable, photograph your items and keep a record of them.
Are your keys left on view and/or are they easily accessible to others?
Answer yes - keep your house and car keys in a safe place which is not on view. Ensure that your family is aware of this place and that the keys can be accessed in an emergency.
Do you have a garden?
Answer yes – are gates secured with a hasp and shackle lock fitted with non-returnable screws.
Also, can your refuse bins be used by someone to access your garden?
Do you have a garage?
Answer yes - ensure a suitable lock is fitted and a shed alarm or similar is installed. A ground anchor for up-and-over doors offers additional security.
Do you have a garden shed?
Answer yes – ensure it is fitted with a hasp and shackle lock fitted with non-returnable screws. Consider using dusk-to-dawn light.
EXTRA THOUGHTS
· An active Neighbourhood Watch can help greatly to encourage neighbourliness and deter crime.
· Letterboxes are a tricky area to protect, simple measures can be taken to reduce access to your front door e.g. a good quality external mail box can be fitted to the property or a letterbox cage which prevents thieves from putting their hands through and accessing locks from the inside.
· A door chain on the front door can prevent unwanted access to your home.
Never leave a spare key in a ‘convenient hiding place’such as under a flowerpot or doormat – a thief will look there first.
Further information on crime prevention is available on the Hampshire Constabulary website, www.hampshire.police.uk.
Approaching the outside of your home
Does the exterior of your property have lighting for neighbours to view those accessing your property?
Answer no - install external dusk- to- dawn lighting or low level feature lighting.
Does your property have defensive planting under windows to prevent access to your home?
Answer no – plant shrubs of a defensive nature i.e. thorny bushes, roses, pyracanthus etc.
Is your property boundary enclosed with a fence?
Answer yes - putting trellis all the way around – including over gates can prevent unwanted access.
If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, is your window sticker visible?
Answer no - contact your local NW co-ordinator or police for details on how to join a scheme.
Do you have a notice in the door asking cold callers not to call?
Answer no - then contact Trading Standards or your NW co-ordinator for information.
Your Home
How secure are your front and back doors – do they feel solid and are the frames in good condition?
Answer no - go to www.securedbydesign.co.uk and look for the approved kite marked product or visit your local DIY suppliers for information.
If you have wooden doors, are they fitted with a 5 lever mortise lock which you always use?
Answer no – arrange for installation of an approved 5 lever mortise lock.
Do you have UPVC doors?
Answer yes – please ensure you lock the doors correctly by lifting the handle and using the key, or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on locking the door securely.
Do you have patio doors?
Answer yes – please check that they are fitted securely and cannot be externally lifted.
Are your windows fitted with locks?
Answer no - have a registered locksmith advise on the relevant locks for your specific windows.
Inside your Home and Your Garden
Do you use timer switches on lamps or radios when you are away from your property, to give the impression that the house is occupied?
Answer yes - please tell others to buy them - but do not advertise the fact that you use them.
Answer no – your local DIY suppliers should supply light timers or be able to advise on purchase.
Have you properly marked your general property?
Answer no – UV mark electricals, tools, CDs, DVDs, laptops and cameras etc with your house number and postcode.
Do you own antiques?
Answer yes - seek advice from a registered antique dealer as to the best way of properly marking particular items. This may be by using SmartWater.
Do you own jewellery?
Answer yes – and you have valuable items, ask advice from a registered jeweller and consider speaking to your bank about safekeeping. If your jewellery is not so valuable, photograph your items and keep a record of them.
Are your keys left on view and/or are they easily accessible to others?
Answer yes - keep your house and car keys in a safe place which is not on view. Ensure that your family is aware of this place and that the keys can be accessed in an emergency.
Do you have a garden?
Answer yes – are gates secured with a hasp and shackle lock fitted with non-returnable screws.
Also, can your refuse bins be used by someone to access your garden?
Do you have a garage?
Answer yes - ensure a suitable lock is fitted and a shed alarm or similar is installed. A ground anchor for up-and-over doors offers additional security.
Do you have a garden shed?
Answer yes – ensure it is fitted with a hasp and shackle lock fitted with non-returnable screws. Consider using dusk-to-dawn light.
EXTRA THOUGHTS
· An active Neighbourhood Watch can help greatly to encourage neighbourliness and deter crime.
· Letterboxes are a tricky area to protect, simple measures can be taken to reduce access to your front door e.g. a good quality external mail box can be fitted to the property or a letterbox cage which prevents thieves from putting their hands through and accessing locks from the inside.
· A door chain on the front door can prevent unwanted access to your home.
Never leave a spare key in a ‘convenient hiding place’such as under a flowerpot or doormat – a thief will look there first.
Further information on crime prevention is available on the Hampshire Constabulary website, www.hampshire.police.uk.
A Smart Solution to Deter Theft
Smart Water is a break though in terms of property marking.
The kits used for this purpose contain all that you need, for one household, to mark all those precious or sentimental objects (from fine art to granny's earring, or your new PC or a favourite photo for example).
They contain a vial of Smart Water and an Applicator, a Registration form and some stickers to show potential thieves that your property is protected by Smart Water.
So how does it work?
Each kit contains a unique code embedded in the water. The Smart Water 'sticks' to the object to which it has been applied (a little dab is all that it needs). When you register your kit, the unique code is recorded centrally as belonging to YOU and YOU alone.Any items that are marked are therefore easily identifiable as yours - for ever!
As with normal marker pens they show up under ultra-violet light, but the unique code can be 'read' and the property's owner identified.
The impact of SmartWater as a criminal deterrent is becoming increasingly apparent every day. Police forces across the nation are using and supporting The SmartWater Strategy, and most importantly criminals are taking notice – living with the fear of being caught and convicted of crimes long after they have taken place.
These kits can be purchased for £15 from www.bdnw.org.uk/prod2 Please find details of a device that may be useful if you have any kind of fuel tanks that need additional protection
Regards
PC Lee Coleshill
BusinessWatch takes on diesel cowboys
Wireless transmitter in a tank screw cap protects fuel tanks against opportunist thieves.
The BusinessWatch Group has launched this simple device to act as a deterrent and alarm against rural diesel thieves.
The wireless transmitter can be placed inside the screw cap of the oil tank. A magnetic switch on the device sets off an alarm if the cap is opened or tampered with. More advanced systems can be linked to security lighting or send a text message to the farmer, landowner, householder or their security provider. An isolation switch allows authorised access to the tank for refuelling.
“The current climb in fuel prices has led police to issue a warning to householders to be on their guard against theft from diesel and oil tanks,” said Jonathan Wakerley, Managing Director of BusinessWatch Group. “This product provides the ideal solution to the escalating problem, giving the client complete peace of mind and the means of protecting their property.
“The wireless technology means it is simple to fit and a valuable addition to any security system - hard wired or wireless. It can be easily fitted in less than two hours and we already have a number of satisfied clients.”
For further information on this product or to arrange a free no obligation security audit and risk assessment please contact BusinessWatch, which is based in Orton Southgate, Peterborough, on 08707 663534
They contain a vial of Smart Water and an Applicator, a Registration form and some stickers to show potential thieves that your property is protected by Smart Water.
So how does it work?
Each kit contains a unique code embedded in the water. The Smart Water 'sticks' to the object to which it has been applied (a little dab is all that it needs). When you register your kit, the unique code is recorded centrally as belonging to YOU and YOU alone.Any items that are marked are therefore easily identifiable as yours - for ever!
As with normal marker pens they show up under ultra-violet light, but the unique code can be 'read' and the property's owner identified.
The impact of SmartWater as a criminal deterrent is becoming increasingly apparent every day. Police forces across the nation are using and supporting The SmartWater Strategy, and most importantly criminals are taking notice – living with the fear of being caught and convicted of crimes long after they have taken place.
These kits can be purchased for £15 from www.bdnw.org.uk/prod2 Please find details of a device that may be useful if you have any kind of fuel tanks that need additional protection
Regards
PC Lee Coleshill
BusinessWatch takes on diesel cowboys
Wireless transmitter in a tank screw cap protects fuel tanks against opportunist thieves.
The BusinessWatch Group has launched this simple device to act as a deterrent and alarm against rural diesel thieves.
The wireless transmitter can be placed inside the screw cap of the oil tank. A magnetic switch on the device sets off an alarm if the cap is opened or tampered with. More advanced systems can be linked to security lighting or send a text message to the farmer, landowner, householder or their security provider. An isolation switch allows authorised access to the tank for refuelling.
“The current climb in fuel prices has led police to issue a warning to householders to be on their guard against theft from diesel and oil tanks,” said Jonathan Wakerley, Managing Director of BusinessWatch Group. “This product provides the ideal solution to the escalating problem, giving the client complete peace of mind and the means of protecting their property.
“The wireless technology means it is simple to fit and a valuable addition to any security system - hard wired or wireless. It can be easily fitted in less than two hours and we already have a number of satisfied clients.”
For further information on this product or to arrange a free no obligation security audit and risk assessment please contact BusinessWatch, which is based in Orton Southgate, Peterborough, on 08707 663534