Make sure Santa is your only 'intruder' this Christmas

Dear Resident

Make sure Santa is your only ‘intruder’ this Christmas

The countdown to Christmas has begun, so police are reminding people not to ‘present’ opportunities to criminals and keep their homes and valuables secure by following some simple crime prevention tips.

During December thieves often target homes, knowing they may be stuffed with gifts and other goodies. Burglary levels remained low during November, with #Dacorum (30 offences) Welwyn Hatfield (30), Hertsmere (28) and East Herts (28) recording the most offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Grant Finnie, from the constabulary’s Local Policing Command said: “This is a busy time of year for everyone, especially criminals. They know that homes, may be full of gifts and will be on the lookout for opportunities to steal them. Don’t make things easy for them - keep your home secure and keep valuable items out of sight.”

“Our communities have a right to feel safe in their own homes, so our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are already out on patrol at key times in their neighbourhoods, supported by our specialist Operational Support Group. Offenders planning to come into Hertfordshire across county borders to commit residential burglary are likely to be met by our mobile support team who are equipped to deal with any situation involving stolen vehicles or those with cloned number plates often used to facilitate residential burglary. Our detectives will be leaving no stone unturned to catch and convict burglars. If you have any information about people committing residential burglary, or you see something that just doesn’t look right contact the police.”

• Make sure you keep all your gifts in a secure place – don’t leave them in the shed or garage, or on view near windows or doors.

• Lock up when you leave – make sure all windows and doors are securely locked when you leave the house or go up to bed.

• Leaving boxes and packaging of expensive items by your bins will alert burglars that your home is full of valuables.

• Consider installing a doorbell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.

• Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches in your home to control internal lights, radios and a simulated TV.

• Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.

• Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed.

• Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows.

For more advice visit at: www.herts.police.uk/crimeprevention.

Report crime by:

• Filling out our online reporting form at https://orlo.uk/fJCH5

• Speaking to an operator in our Force Communications Room via online webchat at https://orlo.uk/IbkgQ

• Calling our non-emergency telephone number 101 (in an emergency, always dial 999).

• Contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.