Spring Burglary Spring Burglary What was a Crime Reduction Advisor to do during Lockdown?
NEIL CLARKE, 13362 CRIME REDUCTION ADVISOR EASTERN DIVISION
NEIL CLARKE, 13362 CRIME REDUCTION ADVISOR EASTERN DIVISION
I am very much aware that much of this year has presented enormous challenges for everyone and the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic has resulted in huge changes for everyone across nearly every aspect of daily life. The world has become a very different place and Let’s hope when readchanges this we to aretheir starting most peoplethat have had you to make to enjoy lives, some often warmer andalldrier weather. everyday losing direct contactDuring with warmerfriends spells it’s to leave doors and family, andtempting others within theyour community windows ajar to loss let some air in, buthas a refreshing for This social Let’sseveral. hope that whenofyou readcontact this we areaffected starting breeze may not bedifferent the onlyways thing you invite people is so many but there nointo to enjoy some warmer and drier weather.isDuring your house. denying that the impact on people’s feelings of warmer spells it’s tempting to leave your doors and Unwelcome guests such as opportunists safety, security and general wellbeing hasand beensneakwindows ajar to let some air in, but a refreshing in burglars could enter your property through affected adversely. breeze may not be the only thing you invite into these insecurities. Due to the seasonal increase yourjob house. My role is very much “front-facing”; meeting in burglaries it’s so important to be extra careful people in their ownsuch homes to assess and give advice Unwelcome guests as opportunists and sneakduring the spring and summer months. In three on andcould property security. distancing in home burglars enter your Social property through out of ten burglaries the thief doesn’t even have to and lockdown has prevented for theincrease past thesetheinsecurities. Due to the this seasonal break in, they gain entry through an open door or few months and have been trying to give in burglaries it’s Iso important to be extraadvice careful window. Burglaries have been known to take place over thethe phone or by email, which is hardly as during spring and summer months. Inideal three when the home owners are in, or out in the garden. every and home is unique! out ofsituation ten burglaries the thief doesn’t even have to Surrey is one of the safest places in the country, break in, they gain or Thankfully, areaentry mythrough job thatan hasopen not door been but Surrey one Police isofcontinuing to crack down window. Burglaries have been known to take place significantly by county. the “lockdown” is carrying on burglary affected across the To ensure we keep when theSecurity home owners or out in the garden. out Site Surveysare at in, key across burglary to a minimum, it locations is important that SurreyValley is oneand ofEpsom the safest places(which in thearecountry, Mole & Ewell you take these simple steps to make it harder for but areas Surrey Police is continuing to crack down the thatthieves I cover). Where opportunist to get awaythere withhave theirbeen crimes. on burglary across the county. To ensure we keep repeated reports of when anti-social criminal Please ensure that you behaviour, go out, even for just burglary to a minimum, it is important that damage and other in or around a specific a few minutes to offences see a neighbour or pick up the you takeitthese simple stepsthat to amake itAction harder for location is often the case Joint children from school, lock all doors and close opportunist thieves to get with their crimes. Group called toaway look first at the causes of the groundmeeting floor andiseasy accessible floor windows. Please ensure that when you go out, even for just problem. This involves not only police but also a few minutes to see a neighbour or pick up the children from school, lock all doors and close ground floor and easy accessible first floor windows.
partner agencies who can have a positive input in trying to come up with practical solutions to deal with a particular issue. Partner agencies could be different specialists from the local council, housing associations, health care professionals and other outreach services as necessary. If you Security have an intruder alarm set it. a location A Site Survey involves visiting When you lock up at night that allpartner ground with key representatives fromcheck the relevant floor windows are closed and preferably locked. agencies and trying to establish the underlying If you havewhy a bedroom the ground floor and like cause areonoccurring If youofhave anissues intruder alarm set and it. how they to leavebeaaddressed/resolved. window open for air, fit aalways security stay might It isn’t When you lock up at night check that all aground which allows ventilation with security. straightforward solution to resolve a problem floor windows are closed and preferably locked. If Also, it is and traditionally timetowhen completely that can bea due many people factors go you have a bedroom on the ground floor and like away for short breaks and holidays including the location, the layout, thearound existingEaster to leave a window open for air, fit a security stay time. you’re leaving property empty, try to designIfplus other barrieryour to implementing a full which allows ventilation with security. reduce giveaway signs.That Cancel range ofany security measures. said,deliveries, there are cut Also, it is traditionally a time when people go normally that can done to reduce your lawnsome and things ask a friend or be a neighbour to pick away for short breaks and holidays around Easter the your impact on the and wider up post andlocal generally keep community. an eye on your time. If you’re leaving your property empty, try to property. Of course, “problem”signs. may simply displaced,cut reduce anya giveaway Cancelbedeliveries, It’s wise attoanother be alert,location but during theaim spring onlyalways to reoccur but the your lawn and ask a friend or a neighbour to pick and summer months we all need to pay a bit more is always minimise the community up your to post and generally keep an impact eye on your attention and check that windows and doors are of negative behaviour as much as possible. property. secure when your home is unattended. It is possible Occasional and seasonal problems can reoccur but, It’s always wise to be alert, but during the spring to the air part, in andthis stillkind keep the burglar out!! forlet the most preventative work and summer months we all of need to pay a bit more Finally, if you’re planning toand dosuccessful any gardening, has proved to be very positive in aare attention and check that windows and doors Iwide would suggest that you mark any garden tools, situations. securevariety when of your home is unattended. It is possible mowers etc with some brightly coloured gloss to let the airspecific in and concerns still keepabout the burglar out!! If you have anti-social paint, perhaps with your house name or or post Finally, if you’re planning to do any gardening, criminal behaviour at items specificmuch locations, please to code. This can make less attractive Ireport would suggest that police you mark any garden tools, it to either online or to a would-be thief asthethe toolson etc101 are or much easier to mowers etc District with some brightly coloured gloss Mole Valley Council – email identify as belonging to someone. paint, perhaps with your house name or post ASB@molevaleey.gov.uk code. This can make items much less attractive to a would-be thief as the tools etc are much easier to LookLocal - SEPTEMBER 2020 43 identify as belonging to someone.
