Crime Prevention Bulletin – Increase in Evening Burglaries Expected

With the clocks going back and darker evenings setting in earlier, I would like to remind all residents to stay alert and take simple steps to help protect their homes and property.

Between 4pm and 8pm, police forces nationally see a rise in reported burglaries as opportunistic offenders take advantage of unoccupied homes left in darkness. Here in Havering we see this seasonal shift in offending every year. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your home

Key Crime Prevention Advice:

Make your home look occupied – Use timer switches or smart plugs to turn lights, radios, or TVs on while you’re out.

Invest in exterior lighting – Motion-activated or dusk-to-dawn lights around entrances, driveways, and gardens can be strong deterrents.

Keep it visible – Cut back trees, shrubs, and tall hedges near windows and doors. Burglars prefer to work unseen.

Lock up properly – Always check that doors and windows are secure before leaving home, even for a short time.

Consider CCTV or video doorbells – These not only deter offenders but can provide vital evidence if a crime occurs.

Secure side gates and sheds – Don’t give burglars easy access to tools or entry points.

Stay vigilant

If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your street, report it right away via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Further crime prevention advice can be found here 

https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

If you are interested in joining your local neighbhourhood watch scheme (or starting a new scheme in your street) please click on this link 

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/havering

Let’s work together to keep Havering safe and homes protected this winter.