Information on Loughborough

Leicestershire Constabulary marks National Burglary Day

Posted on 06/04/2009

Leicestershire Constabulary marks National Burglary Day

The police and Community Safety Partnerships are running crime prevention events across Leicestershire to mark National Burglary Day on Tuesday April 7th 2009.

Called ‘Lets Keep Crime Down, events are being run to tell people what is happening in their area to target and crackdown on persistent offenders and what they can do to keep their property secure.

Staff from local policing areas will be distributing crime prevention material to people at community events, shopping centres and local beauty spots.

  • 1. In Rutland; The Police Beat Bus will be out and about in Rutland throughout the day to help promote the ‘Keep Crime Down message, with information about how to prevent crime in the home and other useful tips and advice for residents, including the use of Smartwater, window alarms and timer lights.
  • 2. In Beaumont Leys; Neighbourhood officersfor the Abbey Meadows,Stadium Estate and Parker Drive beatare holding a Burglary Prevention Awareness Day in the area of Barton Road and Totland Road. All residents are welcome to attend. Officers will be handing out free window and shed alarms and packs of SmartWater on a first come first served basis. For more information contact Community Initiatives Co-ordinator Jessica Essex atBeaumontLeys Police Station on 0116 222 2222, ext 3355.
  • 3. In Harborough; Operation Smart Homes is being re-launched following the success of the first phase of the campaign last year. The community safety partnership has been delivering thousands of fliers to parts of Market Harborough in the last week to invite residents to get their valuable property security marked with SmartWater. SmartWater deters thieves and makes your property easily identifiable if stolen. For more information please contact: Alan Paul community safety manager on 01858 82 13 52.
  • 4. In Loughborough; burglaries have reduced by 12% since April 2008 after officers targeted a top ten prolific and persistent offenders. Called Operation Invoke, officers have closely monitored the movements of the minority of people that commit the majority of time arresting them and putting them before the courts.
  • 5. In Oadby and Wigston; the Community Safety Partnership is inviting people who have purchased new garden equipment and tools to get them security marked free of charge at Wigston Police Station on Bull Head Street, to prevent shed break-ins. Officers are urging people to come along any day of the week between 8am and 10pm and a police volunteer will security code your valuable gear. Contact police Community Initiatives Co-ordinator Linda Spencer for more details on 0116 222 2222 ext 5421
  • 6. In Blaby; the Community Safety Partnership has made domestic burglary one of its top priorities for the coming year and officers will be hosting a number of road-shows throughout the district to raise awareness and prevent crime. For more information about up-and-coming events please contact Teresa Neal, the Community Safety Officer, at Blaby District Council on 0116 272 7785.

Dont make your home an easy target for burglars.

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. A burglar only needs to spot an open window, unlocked side gate or dodgy alarm to make their move.  If you know your home security looks poor, so will a thief. Statistics show that properties with little security are 15 times more likely to be burgled than those with good security.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim

  • When you go out, always close and lock the external doors and windows - even if you are just going out for a short time.
  • Use timers for lights and radios if you need to be away from home overnight or when you are on holiday. They will create the impression that someone is in.
  • Window locks, especially on older windows, will help stop people getting in (and remember - a burglar is less likely to break in if they have to smash a window).
  • Dont leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed, and put car keys or garage keys out of sight in the house.
  • Visible burglar alarms, good lighting and carefully directed security lighting can put burglars off. But make sure that lights dont disturb your neighbours and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes.
  • If you have deadlocks, use them. They make it harder for a thief to get out again. But dont leave the key near the door or in an obvious place.
  • Fitting a ‘spy hole allows you to see who is at the door. A door chain lets you open the door a little way to talk to the caller.
  • Never leave garages or sheds unlocked, especially if they connect to your property.

‘Keep Crime Down is a Home Office run national campaign.  For more information please visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/secureyourhome. Alternatively, hints and tips can be found on the Leicestershire Constabulary website or your local Community Safety Partnership websites.