Help Keep Thieves Out In The Cold

29 December 2010, 11:12 | Updated: 29 December 2010, 11:15

Police in Tring are asking residents to take extra time to consider their home security.

Police in Tring are asking residents to take extra time to consider their home security, particularly ensuring UPVC doors are double locked and keys are not on display, following a number of incidents in the area recently.
 
Sergeant Adele Hopkin said: “At any time of the year being the victim of burglary is particularly distressing, but at Christmas time the impact sometimes can be felt even more so.”
 
Recent incidents where offenders have gained access through a UPVC door that had not been double locked include:
 
  • A burglary on Rosebury Way on December 21
  • A burglary on Gwynn Close overnight between December 10 and 11
 
There was also a burglary on Chiltern Way on December 15 where offenders put a hook through the door and retrieved car keys.
 
Sergeant Hopkin continued: “I appreciate the festive season is a busy time and Tring is a safe place to live. Operation Guardian, the Constabulary’s dedicated operation to prevent and detect burglaries runs throughout the year however, residents can help us in the fight against crime. I would like to ask residents in Tring to please consider some simple safety advice which could prevent them becoming a victim of crime.UPVC doors can be very secure when they are locked properly by lifting the handle and turning the key or dial to engage the security features – potential burglars can easily tell if they aren’t.”
 
Herts Police offers the following additional advice:
 
  • If you’re due to get home after it gets dark, why not use timer switches on your lamps to give your home the ‘lived-in’ look? (always follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
  • Don’t leave boxes and packaging out by your bin which could advertise to passing opportunistic thieves what they may find inside your home.
  • Try to keep all loose valuables like laptops, cameras and mobile phones out of the sight of anybody looking in - and why not register them on the free online database www.immobilise.com.
  • Consider installing alarms and 'dusk to dawn' security lighting – please visit www.herts.police.uk or contact us on 0845 33 00 222 for advice.
  • Secure your rear garden - lock you shed, shut and lock any gates and keep fences maintained. Don't leave ladders and tools outside - they could be used by a burglar.
 
To hep prevent car key burglaries:
 
  • Use a letter cage on your letterbox for additional reassurance.
 
  • Lock all doors and shut ALL windows when you go out.
 
  • If you own a high value vehicle and you have a garage – use it. Keep the car garaged overnight, rather than leaving them on the driveway in full view of any would-be thieves. 
 
  • If possible get a tracking device fitted.
 
  • If you have gates on your drive, then keep them closed. The harder you make it to take your vehicle the less likely you are to become a victim of crime.
 
Operation Guardian is the Hertfordshire campaign to reduce and prevent burglary across the county. Activity includes property registering road-shows, letters to residents, leaflet drops at local stores and sustained enforcement activity targeting burglars and much more.