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NEIL CLARKE, 13362 CRIME REDUCTION ADVISOR EASTERN DIVISION Spring Burglary Spring Burglary What was a Crime Reduction Advisor to do during Lockdown?

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 most people have had to make changes to their Let’s hope that when you read this we are starting everyday lives, often losing all direct contact with to enjoy some warmer and drier weather. During family, friends and others within the community warmer spells it’s tempting to leave your doors and for several. This loss of social contact has affected people is so many different ways but there is no denying that the impact on people’s feelings of safety, security and general wellbeing has been affected adversely. My job role is very much “front-facing”; meeting people in their own homes to assess and give advice on home and property security. Social distancing and the lockdown has prevented this for the past few months and I have been trying to give advice over the phone or by email, which is hardly ideal as every situation and home is unique! Thankfully, one area of my job that has not been significantly affected by the “lockdown” is carrying out Site Security Surveys at key locations across Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell (which are the areas that I cover). Where there have been repeated reports of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and other offences in or around a specific location it is often the case that a Joint Action Group meeting is called to look at the causes of the problem. This involves not only police but also windows ajar to let some air in, but a refreshing breeze may not be the only thing you invite into your house. Unwelcome guests such as opportunists and sneakin burglars could enter your property through these insecurities. Due to the seasonal increase in burglaries it’s so important to be extra careful during the spring and summer months. In three out of ten burglaries the thief doesn’t even have to break in, they gain entry through an open door or window. Burglaries have been known to take place when the home owners are in, or out in the garden. Surrey is one of the safest places in the country, but Surrey Police is continuing to crack down on burglary across the county. To ensure we keep burglary to a minimum, it is important that you take these simple steps to make it harder for opportunist thieves to get away with their crimes. Please ensure that when you go out, even for just 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. Let’s hope that when you read this we are starting to enjoy some warmer and drier weather. During warmer spells it’s tempting to leave your doors and windows ajar to let some air in, but a refreshing breeze may not be the only thing you invite into your house. Unwelcome guests such as opportunists and sneakin burglars could enter your property through these insecurities. Due to the seasonal increase in burglaries it’s so important to be extra careful during the spring and summer months. In three out of ten burglaries the thief doesn’t even have to break in, they gain entry through an open door or window. Burglaries have been known to take place when the home owners are in, or out in the garden. Surrey is one of the safest places in the country, but Surrey Police is continuing to crack down on burglary across the county. To ensure we keep burglary to a minimum, it is important that you take these simple steps to make it harder for opportunist thieves to get away with their crimes. Please ensure that when you go out, even for just 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. A Site Security Survey involves visiting a location If you have an intruder alarm set it. with key representatives from the relevant partner When you lock up at night check that all ground agencies and trying to establish the underlying floor windows are closed and preferably locked. If cause of why issues are occurring and how they might be addressed/resolved. It isn’t always a straightforward solution to resolve a problem completely and that can be due to many factors including the location, the layout, the existing design plus other barrier to implementing a full range of security measures. That said, there are normally some things that can be done to reduce the impact on the local and wider community. Of course, a “problem” may simply be displaced, only to reoccur at another location but the aim is always to minimise the community impact of negative behaviour as much as possible. Occasional and seasonal problems can reoccur but, for the most part, this kind of preventative work has proved to be very positive and successful in a wide variety of situations. If you have specific concerns about anti-social or criminal behaviour at specific locations, please report it to either the police on 101 or online or to Mole Valley District Council – email ASB@molevaleey.gov.uk you have a bedroom on the ground floor and like to leave a window open for air, fit a security stay which allows ventilation with security. Also, it is traditionally a time when people go away for short breaks and holidays around Easter time. If you’re leaving your property empty, try to reduce any giveaway signs. Cancel deliveries, cut your lawn and ask a friend or a neighbour to pick up your post and generally keep an eye on your property. It’s always wise to be alert, but during the spring and summer months we all need to pay a bit more attention and check that windows and doors are secure when your home is unattended. It is possible to let the air in and still keep the burglar out!! Finally, if you’re planning to do any gardening, I would suggest that you mark any garden tools, mowers etc with some brightly coloured gloss paint, perhaps with your house name or post code. This can make items much less attractive to a would-be thief as the tools etc are much easier to identify as belonging to someone. If you have an intruder alarm set it. When you lock up at night check that all ground floor windows are closed and preferably locked. If you have a bedroom on the ground floor and like to leave a window open for air, fit a security stay which allows ventilation with security. Also, it is traditionally a time when people go away for short breaks and holidays around Easter time. If you’re leaving your property empty, try to reduce any giveaway signs. Cancel deliveries, cut your lawn and ask a friend or a neighbour to pick up your post and generally keep an eye on your property. It’s always wise to be alert, but during the spring and summer months we all need to pay a bit more attention and check that windows and doors are secure when your home is unattended. It is possible to let the air in and still keep the burglar out!! Finally, if you’re planning to do any gardening, I would suggest that you mark any garden tools, mowers etc with some brightly coloured gloss paint, perhaps with your house name or post code. This can make items much less attractive to a would-be thief as the tools etc are much easier to LookLocal - SEPTEMBER 2020 identify as belonging to someone. 43