Crime prevention tips

We have provided a list of tips which can help you beat the burglar. Protecting your belongings from the burglar can also provide other benefits such as reducing your home or car insurance.

Burglaries - in the home

Always lock all your doors and windows. Remember - any space big enough for a human head is big enough for someone to climb through.
Never leave keys in hiding places such as under flower pots or on top of door frames. Burglars know where to look. You could always leave a spare set of keys with a trusted neighbour or friend.
Where possible fit an alarm.
If you are going away on holiday or for any length of time, use timers on your lights (they are inexpensive and easy to set up). Also, cancel your milk for the duration of your absence and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post so it doesnt build up on your doormat.
Never leave property in a porch you tend to leave insecure, even if the door is usually shut.
Dont leave expensive items on window sills where they could be seen from the street.
Property mark your valuables. You can use a UV pen or etching tool to mark property with your house number and postcode. This will make it easy to identify and will act as a huge deterrent to thieves.

Burglaries - Sheds/Garages/Outbuildings

Sheds and garages should always be properly secured with a good quality lock and where possible, an alarm.
The property within these outbuildings should be security marked with the owners house number and postcode, and details of specific makes, models, serial numbers etc., should be recorded and stored safely.
For larger and more distinctive items, it is quite useful to take photographs to keep with the other details already mentioned.
Chain bigger pieces of equipment or furniture together and then to a secure anchor point.
Implement security lighting in dark areas, as thieves do not want to be seen and do not want to draw any attention to themselves.

Bogus Callers

Use a door chain when opening the door.
Insist on seeing and properly inspecting identification.
Dont be afraid to tell the person: No, you cant come in.
Tell the caller to phone back to make an appointment.
Call the agency/organisation the person is claiming to be from - to double-check their identity. A genuine caller will not mind waiting.
Call a friend or trusted neighbour if you are nervous.
Call the police if the person is in your house and you become suspicious. (It would be useful to record a description of the caller and/or their vehicle registration, for the information of officers.)
Have a panic alarm fitted just inside your front door.
Become a part of the Safetynet scheme. Safetynet is a scheme to protect older people from bogus callers and comes in the form of a simple unit which connects to a specialist call centre via a normal telephone socket. For more information about this scheme, call 01622 608196 and leave your name and address.

Vehicle Crime

Never leave property on display in your vehicle - this is simply an invitation to a thief.
Try to park in well-lit areas and if possible, near to CCTV cameras.
Utilise alarms, steering locks and other security devices wherever possible.
Property mark the items which are left in your vehicle with your house number and postcode. For example, if your stereo does not have a flip front, property mark it with a UV pen or etching tool, so it is easily identifiable. Likewise, if you have to leave tools for work in your vehicle at any time, ensure they are property marked and advertise that you have taken this precaution with a sticker in the window. Its simple but itll act as a good deterrent.
Call the Police if you see anyone suspicious hanging around near cars - we cant beat this crime without your help.
Call the Police if you are offered any kind of property you believe could be stolen.

Addressing Domestic Violence and Hate Crime

An independent facility for reporting racist incidents
Further development of the Domestic Violence Forum through applications for funding a co-ordinator
Information facility for people experiencing domestic violence and racist and homophobic incidents
Anonymous crime reporting via a website
Domestic violence awareness training
Increased public awareness of the issues involved in domestic violence

Alleygating

What's an Alleygate?

An alleygate will help prevent burglary, which mainly occurs from the rear/side of properties. It will help reduce litter and fly tipping. It will also help keep out of the alleyway, unwanted visitors. This will lead to a cleaner and safer environment. For more information on improving safety ring the Community Safety Officer.

What to do if you want one

You need to contact all those neighbours who have a right of access to the alleyway. You should attempt to form a small working group or Committee who can decide who does what, so that tasks can be shared. Provided the overall height of a gate does not exceed 2 metres (the desired height), you will not require planning permission. However, you will need to check with the Council to see whether a public right of way exists over the alleyway. Firstly, your group will need to assess each point of access for suitability. It is essential that there is a wall or fence at least 2 metres in height on either side, otherwise the gate will not prevent access. In these situations, it may be possible to have a wall or fence constructed to the desired height, providing the owner agrees and payment is shared along with the cost of the gate.