Police issue safety advice for our Lock It Up or Lose It campaign

The current heatwave is encouraging us all to open the windows and let the breeze blow away the traces of winter.

But Wiltshire Police want to remind people that unlocked doors and open windows can be a gift to opportunist burglars.

Residents can help prevent becoming a victim themselves by following this advice:

• Lock front and back doors and don’t leave accessible windows open in unoccupied rooms.

• Thieves will often target uPVC doors because they have a ‘double lock’ system, which means that when the door is closed it is not necessarily locked.

• Once inside handbags, wallets and car keys are usually easy to find and the burglary can take seconds rather than minutes. When going out, securely lock all doors and windows – no matter what the temperature and no matter how long you intend to be away.

• Do be a nosey neighbour – tell the police if you see anyone acting suspiciously in or around premises in your neighbourhood, and if possible, take the registration numbers of any unusual vehicles in your area.

• Burglaries also happen during the day so if, for example, you are in the back garden, lock the front door.

• Always take your keys out of your lock as thieves can reach in and open the door.

• Put valuables, including phone chargers (which implies a mobile phone is around), out of sight because it has been known for people to use hooks to pick up items through letterboxes, windows and cat flaps.

• Don’t leave anything within reach of the catflap.

Back

© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk