PERSPECTIVE:

It’s vital to leave your home secure whenever you leave it. Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure that you don’t forget obvious, important things, like not leaving your valuables near windows, or no lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Here’s what you should do just before you go out.

Inspector Craig Leitch said, “We are working hard to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We want to catch whoever is committing these offences and would appeal to the public to please report anything they see that looks suspicious.

“If you see anyone acting in a suspicious way or see anything out of the ordinary, please call us straight away, if there is a crime in progress or a risk to life, call us on 999.

“I would also remind people to follow some simple tips to keep their properties and vehicles safe.”

General car crime prevention advice

• If you have a garage, keep your car in it when it is not being used.

• If you don’t have a garage, park your car as close to your property as possible to make access difficult.

• Where possible, block your car in with another vehicle or a driveway parking post which would mean the vehicle couldn’t be driven away.

• Install CCTV and a motion sensor security light covering the area where your vehicle is kept, such as your driveway or the street outside your property.

• Check and make sure that no valuables are left in sight in the vehicle and keep the glove box empty where possible. Consider leaving it open to show there is nothing inside.

Keyless crime prevention advice

• Use a blocking pouch (Faraday Bag) for your key – make sure you store your spare key in one too.

• Turn off keyless fobs’ wireless signal - wireless signals on some keyless fobs can be switched off.

• Use a steering wheel lock or car alarm - most modern car thieves are equipped with laptops rather than hand tools, so mechanical devices – such as steering wheel locks – can be a real deterrent.

Going away?

Here are five tips to help you keep your home and belongings stay safe while you’re away:

1. If you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends

2. Leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied

3. Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or resident Watch Scheme

4. Consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive

5. Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries

• Re-programme your keys - If you buy a secondhand vehicle, there is a risk that you may not be given all of the sets of car keys. Reprogramming your car keys can stop thieves using stolen keys.