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Homebeat News
Someone from Norbury Police usually manages to attend our Neighbourhood Watch meetings and they have all been extremely helpful in passing on Crime Prevention tips that apply particularly to our area and are pertinent to the crime reports for this Neighbourhood Watch. We have therefore collated some tips from them, mindful of the fact that burglary, followed by motor vehicle crimes seem to be the most worrying problems to our members. (Others browsing from further afield please note these tips are aimed specifically for the Saint Joseph's N.W. and whilst helpful might not be the most effective measures elsewhere in the world).
See also the page of NOTES prepared by our Chief Co-ordinator.
Domestic burglary in St. Joseph's N.W. over the spring and summer months: The Norbury Police have reminded us that as the days get longer and the weather warmer we should be sure to close and lock all doors and windows whenever there is nobody at home, especially in the evenings and overnight, and to ensure all doors and windows have adequate locks fitted to them. Burglar alarms can be useful for both deterrence and detection, but they must switch off automatically after 20 minutes or less and the police require to know two keyholders who are able to switch off a faulty alarm and assist police in gaining access to the premises. Burglar alarms should not go off accidentally, not only is this a nuisance but also it diminishes the response when there really is a burglary. Particularly where there are gardens bordering on roads, parks and playing fields automatic lighting is a deterrent and should be fitted to the back and front of properties where possible, and side gates kept locked. The use of razor wire on particularly vulnerable boundaries that border onto parks and alleyways in our area is recommended. We should also pay attention to the good security of garden sheds, garages and outbuildings etc. - we have had a number of thefts from such buildings, or the use of tools from such buildings to break in - don't provide burglars with the tools of their trade!
Some summer tips: Sergeant Issac is especially impressed by the advice on what to do when you go away for holidays; from our friends in Seaford Rise, South Australia which they produced for their summer holiday period (which of course was during our winter) and asked us to copy it on to our web site here. This is taken from about half way down the Seaford Rise News page, and we are most grateful to them.
LOCK IT OR LOSE
IT HOME SECURITY TIPS:
Use the Residents'
Holiday Checklist as a reminder for what you should do, to keep your home
safe while you are away.
* Leave your neighbours
with a spare set of keys (Don't leave keys hidden outside anywhere).
* Check that all
your door and window locks are in good condition and that you secure them
before leaving.
* Put all garden
tools and ladders away
* Lock your garden
shed and garage
* Advise your neighbours
if you are expecting any callers or unusual deliveries.
* Turn your telephone
and door bell volume down to low.
* Never leave a
holiday message on an answering machine.
* Turn off unnecessary
appliances.
* Use timer switches
to turn on lights and radios (tuned to talk-back programs).
* Give your neighbour
instructions on what to do if your alarm is activated.
* Engrave or mark
all your property and store valuable items somewhere safe.
* Cancel all your
regular deliveries.
* Hang old clothes
on your clothes line.
* Leave your curtains
and blinds partially open. People won't be able to see straight in and
you will create doubt about whether someone is home.
Meanwhile there is also an excellent list of crime prevention tips in the Crime Prevention Handbook on the South Norwood & Croydon Police web site. The Crime Prevention Handbook is fairly large, but mostly text - you may want to download it to search and read offline later and there is now an excellent PDF version for that very purpose.
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