Security warning

People in a Thames Valley village are being warned to make sure doors and windows are locked after a doubling in burglaries.

There were 23 in Sonning Common in the year to March 2010, up from just 11 in the South Oxfordshire village in the twelve months before that.  In Kidmore End and Tokers Green, the number of house burglaries rose from two to ten.

In response to this, Thames Valley Police are going to hold a crime exhibition in Sonning Common where the neighbourhood policing team will issue property marking kits and offer practical advice on how to increase home security. 

The event's taking place at The Village Hall in Wood Lane, Sonning Common between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday 11 September 2010.

Julia Wheeler, Crime Reduction Advisor for the Sonning Common area, said: "We are really concerned about the rise in burglaries in Sonning Common. We’re working hard to catch those responsible, but it is also important that residents know how to keep themselves safe and deter burglars from targeting their property.

"By attending the exhibition on Saturday people can pick up tips, useful equipment and even book a home security visit with me."

Police say most of the burgled houses were unoccupied when they were targeted.  They're asking us to follow the following quick and practical steps:

•Lock up any garden tools, ladders or any other items which can be used to force open doors or windows or break the glass.

•Make the house look occupied, especially after dark, by putting at least one light on a timer to come on.

•If your house is being renovated and is unoccupied, remove all valuables from the property and place them in secure storage.

•Ensure all ground floor doors and windows are securely locked and do not leave keys in the locks.

•Consider investing in an intruder alarm