Crime prevention advice

We all have responsibility to help prevent crime by making sure that we take steps to protect our property. Here are some easy things you can do to stop burglars, reduce your risk of fire and stop bogus callers taking advantage of you in your home.

Keep burglars out by

• making sure your windows are closed and locked securely before leaving home, fitting deadlocks to all outside doors 
• hiding spare keys in secure places that are not obvious to burgulars like under a brick or in a shed
• leaving a light or radio on at night so it appears someone is in
• not leaving cash lying around

Keep safe from fire

• by having an escape plan and making sure everyone knows about it
• fitting a fire alarm and testing it regularly

Bogus callers - what's this?

Usually a bogus caller knocks on the door to distract the person living there, while an accomplice burgles the property. Avoid this from happening by

• fitting a chain and/or a spy hole
• always asking for identification and making sure they are a genuine caller

Other advice

Follow the links below for useful tips and advice on how you can protect yourself and your property

• Home Office
  comprehensive crime prevention advice from protecting your home, family and property to keeping safe on the street
• BBC
  advice on protecting yourself, your family and your car while on holiday. Try their interactive quizzes on protecting your car and your home
• Help the Aged
  a range of services designed to help older people remain independent and secure in their own home
• London Fire Brigade
  has lots of tips about preventing home fires with sections on the most common causes of fires