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Here’s an update on burglary locally. Burglary Prevention Advice for Leyton Ward
Burglary is often opportunistic. A few simple security measures can make your home less attractive to offenders and help protect your property.
Keep your home secure
• Lock doors and windows properly, even when you are at home or only going out briefly.
• Double-lock external doors where possible and check that door frames, hinges and locks are in good condition.
• Keep house keys, vehicle keys, handbags and valuables away from doors, windows and letterboxes.
• Do not leave keys hidden under doormats, plant pots or bins.
• Use timer switches or smart lighting to make your home appear occupied when you are away.
• Consider fitting motion-activated external lighting, a visible alarm, CCTV or a video doorbell. These should support, rather than replace, strong locks and physical security.
• Keep front gardens reasonably visible. Overgrown bushes, high fences and other hiding places may allow someone to approach your property without being noticed.
• Secure side gates and rear access. Trellis or suitable defensive planting can make boundaries more difficult to climb.
• Lock sheds, garages and outbuildings. Secure bicycles, tools and gardening equipment inside them.
• Do not leave packaging from expensive purchases outside your home, as this may advertise what is inside.
• Photograph valuable property and record serial numbers. Consider using an appropriate property-marking system.
Burglars frequently look for doors or windows that have been left open, unlocked or are easy to force. Good visibility and effective physical security can make a property less attractive to an offender.
If you live in a flat
• Do not allow unknown people to follow you through communal entrances.
• Make sure communal doors close and lock behind you.
• Never buzz someone into the building unless you know who they are visiting.
• Report broken entrance doors, locks, lighting or entry systems to the landlord or managing agent promptly.
• Keep your own front door locked, even when you are inside.
• Do not leave parcels or valuable items unattended in communal areas.
Protect yourself from distraction burglary
Unexpected callers may claim to be from a utility company, council, housing provider or another organisation.
• Stop and check before opening the door.
• Use a door viewer, intercom or security chain.
• Ask to see identification and independently contact the organisation using a trusted telephone number.
• Do not use a telephone number supplied by the caller.
• Never feel pressured into letting someone inside.
• If you are uncertain, keep the door closed and ask the caller to leave.
The Metropolitan Police advise residents to identify visitors before opening the door and to be aware that distraction burglars may pretend to be someone they are not.
Going away?
Before leaving your home:
• Cancel or redirect regular deliveries.
• Ask a trusted neighbour to move post, put bins out and keep an eye on the property.
• Use automatic lights at different times.
• Avoid sharing holiday plans or live location information publicly on social media.
• Lock all doors, windows, sheds and garages.
• Check that alarms and cameras are working.
• Do not leave spare keys outside the property.
Look out for your neighbours
Please remain alert to unfamiliar people trying doors, looking into homes or gardens, or behaving suspiciously around residential properties. Check on neighbours who may be older, vulnerable or temporarily away.
Do not put yourself at risk or confront a suspected offender. Record descriptions, locations, direction of travel and vehicle registration details only when it is safe to do so.
Reporting burglary or suspicious activity
• Call 999 if a burglary is taking place, someone is in immediate danger, violence is being used or threatened, or the suspect is still at the scene.
• For a burglary or suspicious activity that is not an emergency, report it online to the Metropolitan Police or call 101.
Useful police links
• Metropolitan Police crime prevention advice [met.police.uk]
• Protecting your home from crime [met.police.uk]
• Keep burglars out of your property [met.police.uk]
• Door security advice [met.police.uk]
• Leyton Safer Neighbourhoods Team [met.police.uk]
• Report a crime online [met.police.uk]
• All Metropolitan Police reporting options [met.police.uk]
Remember: Lock it. Light it. Keep valuables out of sight. Report suspicious activity.
Emergency: 999 | Non-emergency: 101 | Online: met.police.uk
 Across London, we’re now arresting more than 1,000 extra criminals every month and seeing local crimes like burglary, robbery and theft start to fall, with ‘neighbourhood crime’ down 14%. While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe and protecting your home. You can report an incident of burglary by using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk , speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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