protecting vehicles, and staying safe on the streets this autumn

protecting vehicles, and staying safe on the streets this autumn

Dear Residents,

As the nights draw in, West Midlands Police issue specific safety campaigns to target the seasonal rise in burglary and vehicle crime. Opportunistic criminals actively use the autumn cover of darkness to exploit dark, quiet properties and vulnerable commuting routes.

The force's official guidelines focus on securing your home, protecting vehicles, and staying safe on the streets:

Tipton & Great Bridge & Princes End

Home Security & Darker Nights

An open window in an unoccupied room or an unlatched door is a prime target for intruders.

• Lock Up Habitually: Keep doors and windows closed and locked, even when you are inside the house. If you have UPVC front doors, lift the handle and lock them with the key as soon as you enter.
• Create the Illusion of Occupancy: Use automatic timer plugs or smart bulbs for your evening lamps to make the house look occupied when you are out.
• Hide the Essentials: Never leave house keys, car fobs, or valuables on side tables in direct view of a window or near the front door where they can be fished out through the letterbox.
• Maintain Boundaries: Keep front hedges and walls low (under 1 metre) so intruders have nowhere to hide from passers-by. Keep rear and side fencing high (over 1.8 metres) and add lightweight trellis or thorny plants to deter climbing.

Autumn Vehicle Crime Prevention

Thieves regularly patrol residential streets looking for physical and digital vulnerabilities.

• Protect Keyless Cars: Keep keyless fobs inside a Faraday pouch to block relay signals. Test your pouch regularly to ensure it is still working.
• Use Visual Deterrents: Fit a mechanical steering wheel lock onto your vehicle as an immediate visual warning to thieves.
• Fold the Mirrors: Ensure windows and sunroofs are completely closed. Double-check that your wing mirrors are folded in, as unfolded mirrors are a universal signal to criminals that a car has been left unlocked.

Back to School & Autumn Commutes

With school terms resuming and daylight fading earlier, personal safety during transit becomes a priority.

• Buddy System: Encourage children and teenagers to walk to and from school or college with a group of friends whenever possible.
• Avoid Dark Shortcuts: Stay on main roads and avoid taking cut-throughs via unlit parks, isolated greenspaces, or alleys after dark.
• Stay Aware: If walking or running while it is dark, keep valuables out of sight. Avoid distractions like listening to music with both earbuds in so you can hear changes in your immediate surroundings.