Crime prevention information
Page Index
Bogus Callers
Unfortunately those at greatest risk from bogus callers are the most vulnerable, the elderly and those people that live on their own, particularly women.
What is a bogus caller?
Many burglars will not go to the trouble of breaking in if they don't have to. Bogus callers at your door will pretend to be any one of a number of authentic callers. They may claim to be officials from the council, service companies, health authority or other similar organisations. They may pretend to be genuine dealers or salesman. They could impersonate workmen and say they need access to your house to check something or have to make urgent repairs and charge you for this. Even young children may be used to gain your trust.
These types of bogus callers all want to steal from you!
Most callers at the door are genuine, but some are not. Therefore it is very important to remember some helpful hints to follow in your home before opening the door to any caller on your doorstep.
How to check that callers are genuine!
- Think before you open your door - are you expecting anyone?
- Use a door viewer and put the chain on before opening the door.
- Ask the caller for proof of identity - most callers will have an identity card. Check it carefully, but keep the chain on.
- If the caller does not have an appointment, tell them to wait outside while you ring their office to confirm their identity
- Some service companies operate a password system to verify the callers status.
- Look at the callers clothing, some official callers will have a uniform bearing their organisations name or logo. Their vehicle may also have their organisations name on it.
- If you have any suspicions at all - do not let the caller in, dial Police 999
Neighbourhood Watch
One of the ways to make your community safer is to join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. The aim of Neighbourhood Watch is to help people protect themselves and their properties, reduce fear of crime and improve their local environment.
If you are interested in finding out whether there is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme running in your area you can contact:
Chesterfield & District Neighbourhood Watch Office
Tel: 01246 522331 or come along to your next 'Cracking Crime' Event.
Your Home
Make it Difficult for the Burglar!
Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries there is no force used - burglars have got in through an open door or window. Look at your home through a burglar's eyes!
- Are there places where they could break in without being seen?
- Have you fitted strong locks on your doors and windows?
- Would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?
Windows
Window locks that are easily seen may put off some thieves as they would have to break the glass to get in. Window locks should be fitted to all downstairs windows, windows hidden from a street view and easy to reach upstairs windows. Even small windows need locks - a burglar can get through any gap that is larger than your head.
Remember - remove keys from locked windows and keep them, out of sight!
Doors
If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is your home. Make sure that doors and door frames are in good condition - doors should be at least 44mm thick. Glass panels on or around doors are especially vulnerable - try to replace with laminated glass.
Fit front and back doors with five-lever mortice deadlocks and make sure you use them. (Before fitting locks to UPVC doors check with installer to make sure this will not affect your warranty).
Remember - never hang a spare key inside the letterbox, under the doormat, or in a flowerpot - these are obvious places that a thief will check!
Burglar Alarms
If a burglar can see a burglar alarm, it will make them think twice about breaking into a property.
Remember if you are thinking of installing a burglar alarm, you should:-
- Ask your local police crime prevention officer for advice before you buy an alarm
Tel: 01246 522024
- Get a number of quotes and specialist advice from alarm companies supplying alarms
- Talk to your insurance company about the alarm companies they recommend
- Get professional help to install the alarm to make sure that it will work properly.
Lighting
Good lighting can put off a thief! Some outside lights have an infra-red sensor to switch lights on for a short amount of time when it detects something moving nearby.
Remember - make it look like you're at home when you're not, most burglaries happen when your property is empty!
- use time switches to turn on lights, TV and other appliances when you're out.
- keep all valuable items out of sight
- don't advertise your absence when you're on holiday, at work or shopping.
- If you can get a friend or neighbour to look after your home while you're away
Garages and Sheds
Often full of expensive tools which are ideal for breaking into the rest of the house - and are often left unlocked!
- never leave a garage or shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house
- fit strong padlocks to shed and garage doors, and make sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in.
- lock ladders inside your garage or shed to stop a thief using them to reach upstairs. If there is no room in either of these, chain and padlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside wall
- Consider having lockable steel boxes fitted to the floor to store your tools in.
Property Marking
Property marking is your second line of defence against thieves!
Marking your property is one of the easiest and effective ways of protecting your possessions. By marking your property it let's others know that the item has been stolen, making it more difficult for the burglar to sell on. It also makes tracing and returning your stolen property a lot easier for the police.
"If it's worth taking - it's worth marking!"
Take a good look around every room in your home as well as outside in your garage and/or shed. Consider all the things you would be sorry to lose or find hard to replace - then mark them!
Remember that anything useful or attractive is re-saleable. For example - all your electrical equipment and mechanical goods, household appliances, pictures, ornaments, antiques and silver. Anything easy to move and carry!
Marking is easy - Always mark your property with your postcode and house number! Two Main Types of Property Marking:
Permanent Marking - engraving and punching identifies your property for good. Tools and kits can be bought from DIY shops and ironmongers.
Invisible Marking - this marking is the best method for antiques and other valuable items that would lose value if spoiled by permanent marking. Property is marked by using a UV marker pen that is 'invisible' to the eye. The mark is however visible using a UV lamp that police use to scan all recovered property. Invisible marking is a deterrent to burglars if you use the stickers from police saying 'property in this home has been marked' and place them anywhere a burglar might force entry.
It is worth keeping an inventory of all your household possessions to be sure to mark the things that you own, including items kept in your shed and garage. This will make the process of updating and renewing property marks easier.
Your Car
Vehicle Crime is a serious problem! For further information click on the following link: Vehicle Crime
Car Key Crime
Car thieves are increasingly turning to new methods of car crime, particularly "key crime". Key crime means stealing the keys to the car first, rather than having to break into the car, they break into the house for the keys.
Quick Tip: even if you are taking the shopping from the boot of your car into the house, NEVER leave your keys in the car or anywhere easily accessible. A thief will take any opportunity that you give them.
Make sure that your car keys are kept in a secure place at home and at work. Burglars will break into houses and offices just to steal car keys. At home, don't be in the habit of leaving your car keys close to the front door where they can be seen!
Car Contents
Any possessions left in your car is at risk of being stolen. Apart from car stereos, the most common items stolen from a car are clothes, CD's, tools, laptops, mobiles, bags, briefcases, sunglasses and credit cards; usually because these are left in plain view for all to see.
Many modern car stereos have security built -in, e.g. removable front on stereos. Make sure that you use this feature even if you leave your car for a short time. Another built-in feature includes security coding, make sure you keep a note of the code number somewhere safe in your house and never anywhere inside your car. For stereos that you are unable to detach, make sure you mark it (see property marking) with your vehicle registration number and postcode. Fit a security device, such as a car alarm and choose a good place to park (see parking your car) to reduce chances of someone breaking in to your car.
Parking your Car
Where and how you park your car can be important for your own security, and that of your car.
Secured Car Parks - is the status given to car parks across the UK if they achieve a police standard of security and safety. This would include implementing a certain standard of lighting and surveillance. This has proven to reduce car crime across the UK by 70%.
If you can't find a secure car park in the area you wish to park, for your own safety and security park somewhere that is quite busy and well lit at night.
At home - Consider fitting security lights outside your home to light up the space where you park at night. If you have a garage use it and secure it.
Car Security Rating - your choice of car is influenced by a number of things - price, design, safety, economy or special features. Security is now a significant factor in the car-buying process. The UK insurance industry has introduced its own star rating system know as the New Car Security Rating (NCSR). This rating shows how well a specific car stands up to an attempted 'theft of' (stealing the car), and 'theft from' (stealing contents of the car).
The testers are keen to stress that the biggest factor in car theft is opportunity - good design and anti-theft devices make less difference if security measures are not used and valuables are left on display in the car.
Out and About
If you are often out and about on your own or in the dark, here is some simple precautions you and your family can take to keep safe.
- Carry a personal attack alarm, these are available and free to pensioners at your local Cracking Crime event
- If you carry a bag, keep it close to you with clasps and zips inwards
- Keep your house keys in your pocket so that if your bag is stolen, the thief won't have your house keys and address
- If you think you are being followed, check by crossing the street once or twice to see if they are still following. If this seems to be the case, go to the nearest place with people. Avoid using a phone box as this could be used to trap you inside.
- On parks and commons keep to the main pathways and open spaces, try to avoid wooded areas
- If you wear a personal stereo remember that this prevents you from hearing someone approaching behind and traffic
- Try to avoid shortcuts through dark alleyways
- Walk facing the traffic so a car is not able to pull up behind you
- Do not hitch hike or accept lifts from strangers
- Cover up expensive looking jewellery and keep mobile phones and wallets/purses hidden away
- At cash machines don't let anyone see your personal identification number
Moving House
Moving can be an exciting time and we hope you enjoy your new home. However, when you prepare to move home there is so much to think about to make sure everything goes well. Burglars know this and may be on the look out for a chance to commit a crime.
Below is some advice on how to keep your home and possessions secure. Whether you are renting or buying, your chances of being burgled are higher when you move home. The risk is even greater if you are renting.
However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk.
Using trades-people
Check that estate agents, removers and other trades people can be trusted and are members of a professional body or association.
Take care with your keys
If you need to pass your keys to others make sure that the person can be trusted and ask for the keys to be returned as soon as they have finished with them. Do not hand out more sets of keys than you need to.
Tell your neighbours
If you have put your home up for sale ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home while you are out. Let them know your movements and when you expect possible buyers to call but take care who you tell.
Advice from estate agents
If you are out a lot and a "for sale"' board has been recommended, ask your estate agent to be careful about the details they give out about you, your work and the security arrangements and layout of your home.
Insurance cover
Make sure that your home contents insurance cover will transfer when you move and remember to update your motor registration and insurance details too.
Entry to your home
Only allow someone to view your home if they have made an appointment with the estate agents. If strangers appear without an appointment and ask to view your home do NOT let them in. Suggest they contact the estate agent first.
Dealing with rubbish
When you prepare to move home you may decide to throw away more things than usual. Be careful about leaving large piles of rubbish or packed bins outside your home for too long.
Packing your belongings
Take care if you collect lots of boxes from local shops - a burglar may see this as a sign that you are moving soon. Think about using large plastic bags for lighter items. Think about leaving small valuable items, like jewellery, on deposit at the bank.
Keep your possessions secure
Try to get friends and neighbours to help keep an eye on your home or possessions or to help out on the day of the move. Keep all doors locked (don't forget the garage, shed or patio doors) or watched when they are not in use, such as when you take a tea break. Take special care with valuable items such as televisions or videos.
Small children and animals
Think about arranging for them to be looked after on the day of the move.
The removal van
Make sure that your removers can secure their van and stop it from being stolen when it is left alone. Ask the removers to take care that the door used for loading the van should not be left unguarded or unlocked when not in use.
Home Watch/Neighbourhood watch
Most new neighbours friendly, welcoming and helpful. Get to know them as soon as possible and think about joining your local Home Watch scheme. Your local Crime Prevention Officer can provide advice on how to do this.
New possessions
Take care when leaving empty boxes outside your home they can give away details of new and valuable equipment, which may be worth stealing.
Marking possessions
If your possessions are marked with a postcode, make sure you change it to the new postcode. Keep your own list of these items.
Making it secure
You may want to think about changing the locks or fitting key-operated locks to windows. Discuss this with your insurance company, housing officer, Crime Prevention Officer or the person you are renting your home from
For more detailed information on crime prevention, click on the links below:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ - The Home Office is the government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales.
www.derbyshire.police.uk/ - Derbyshire Constabulary Website
www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/ - NNWA seeks to broaden the appeal of Neighbourhood Watch to all sectors of the community. This includes raising the awareness of the movement, initiating project work and providing support in challenging areas such as ethnic and diverse communities, high crime areas and young people.
www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ - Crimestoppers is an independent UK-wide charity working to stop crime. Crimestoppers works for you, your family and your community.
Thanks to the Community Safety team for this information
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