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Dear resident, ‘Lock Snapping’ is now a very common method used by burglars to break into a property that has a Euro Cylinder type lock. This type of lock is found on almost all domestic UPVC doors. Below is a link to the Master Locksmith Association, where you will find useful information about lock snapping and how to protect your home against this method of breaking in. What is Lock Snapping & How to Prevent It - Master Locksmiths Association Follow the below links to the Secured By Design website and West Mercia Police's Crime Prevention website for further crime reduction advice and useful tips: Secured by Design - Secured by Design Crime prevention advice | West Mercia Police Reduce your chances of becoming a victim Simple crime prevention methods are the most effective way to deter potential thieves. The more difficult you make it for them the less likely they are to bother you. You can use a number of methods to protect both your car and home: Protecting your vehicle: Park in a well-lit street, if you have a garage then use it Fit a high quality alarm to your vehicleUse additional security systems such immobilisers and visible security locksAlways take your keys with you when leaving the vehicle unattendedMake sure doors, windows, the boot and sunroof are secure whenever you leave your vehicleObvious targets such as laptops, SatNavs, DashCams should be removed if possibleTake valuables with you – handbags, phones, and even loose change can be valuable to a would be thiefIf you own more than one vehicle, park the lesser valued vehicle behind the more expensive one on the driveway, making it more difficult to removeThieves will also enter a house to steal car keys. Keep your keys away from easily accessible areas in the home such as window sills and doors.Keep your keys in a signal blocker pouch (especially keyless start/stop vehicles) Protecting your home: Install a high quality burglar alarm and CCTV systemInstall an exterior security lighting systemReplace door locks with anti-snap lock barrelsIf you are installing new doors and windows get ones that are certified to the latest British Standard.Consider products like Smartwater to forensically mark your valuablesA home that looks empty is far more likely to be targeted by a burglar, so it’s worth making sure your home looks occupied.Securely lock all doors and windows before leaving the house. It’s easy to forget when you’re in hurry, but it’s the simplest way for a burglar to enter your home.Never leave keys anywhere near the front door, including your letterbox; burglars know where to look.Use automatic timer-switches to turn on a light and perhaps a radio when it goes dark, even if you are just out for a couple of hours.Thank you Redditch SW & Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team |
