CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Your Village Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at the Windmill Car Park on the Common this Sunday 23rd May 2010 and will be able to carry out cycle marking and offer crime prevention advice. We will be there from 10.00 - 14.00 hours. As the days are now getting warmer and you may have holidays planned, below is some straight forward advice to help prevent burglaries while you are away. Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves who will look for an easy way into your home. Around 20% of all burglaries are committed by people entering premises through an open or unlocked door or window, so it's a good idea to thoroughly check all doors and windows are locked and secure before you leave. Whether you intend to go out for the evening or away on holiday for a few weeks you should aim to make your home look as though it's occupied and someone is in, for example, don't close the curtains - in the day time it shows the house is empty. Even small precautions can help reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime, leaving the lights, TV or radio on and using a timer switch can also help give the impression that someone’s home. Like everything in life, there are no guarantees, but by following a few simple rules may make all the difference in deterring that potential burglar:- Use the Royal Mail's “keepsafe” service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers. Disconnect the telephone answering machine, or re-word your greeting message to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable to answer. Ask a neighbour, friend or relative to keep an eye on your home for you, collect your post, open and close the curtains and if possible park their car on your driveway. Cut the lawn and trim back plants before you go away. Don't put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination. A house number and postcode will suffice if you want to label your luggage. If you normally leave valuable bicycles or similar items in your shed, consider putting them in the house. Make sure that you lock all outside doors and windows & set your burglar alarm if you have one. If you do not have an alarm, consider investing in a dummy alarm box. It may well be enough to deter the opportunist thief. If you see anything suspicious while your neighbours are away, call 999 in an emergency or for non emergency, call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. The Village Team can be contacted on Telephone 020 8721 2457 or E mail Village@met.police.uk For further advice go to http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm http://www.metbumblebee.org/images/operation_bumblebee.jpg www.metbumblebee.org Regards Tony Leworthy PC795VW Village SNT T:020 8721 2457 E Mail: Village@met.police.uk