External Security Tips

• Burglar Alarm - There are many different types of alarms available and finding the best one to suit you is advisable. Seeing a burglar alarm will make the offender think twice about breaking into a property
• Security Lights / Sensors - Offenders do not like to be seen. Installing security lights to uniformly light the area will act as a deterrent to offenders, particularly at the rear of your property. Motion sensor lights that detect movement are more appropriate for the rear of properties, whilst dusk till dawn lights suit the front of properties.
• Natural Surveillance - Boundaries at the front of your property should no more than approximately 3 foot high when possible, and all trees and bushes should be well maintained. Do not give offenders free time to hide whilst trying to break into your property
• Rear walls / fences - These should be six ft high and well maintained, ensuring that it is difficult for an offender to gain access. Additional trellising can be attached to make these higher. Anti climb products can also be applied such anti climb sticky paint or prickler wall spikes creating difficulty for offenders to get a grip. Visible warning signs MUST be displayed at all times when using these products.
• Defensive Planting - Plant prickly plants under ground floor windows and around the perimeter of your property, making would be burglars think twice before trying to climb over them

Internal Security Tips

• Doors - ensure that doors and frames are strong and in good condition, with sturdy door hinges an secured with strong, long screws - Fit a Five-lever mortice deadlock a third of the way up ensuring it is Kite Marked, this can only be opened by key meaning the offender can not smash glass to open the lock from inside - Ensure a Rim Latch is installed and consider an automatic deadlock for extra protection
• UPVC Windows - have you checked if you windows are externally beaded and have adequate locking systems. Some PVC windows are not glued into the unit allowing easy removal of the glass. You can get your windows checked by a UPVC specialist.
• Chain / door bar - Always use these to talk to strangers at the door without letting them in. Use the chain every time you answer the door but NEVER leave the chain on permanently
• Letter boxes - Never hang spare keys inside the letter box. Consider fitting a letter box cage or locking the letter box and installing an external letterbox to prevent offender putting their hands in and fishing for keys

Other

• Timer Switches - These will act as a deterrent to offenders making your property look as though someone is at home when you are out. It is a good idea to plug these into a small lamp and even a chatty radio station to come on at a certain time in the evening
• Hide Valuables - Don’t leave you valuables on display to tempt a potential burglar. Where possible have blinds in your main windows and always hide mobiles and money etc in places you only know. This will also deter burglars should they manage to gain entry to your property.
• Property Marking - Thieves find identifiable property dangerous to handle and difficult to sell on. There are many different ways to mark varying property from UV pens, forensic marking to engraving. Please call the Crime Prevention team for further advice on this.
• Good House keeping - If your are going away for a period of time always make sure your house is still occupied. Cancel papers and milk and if possible get a neighbour or friend to collect you post and open and close your curtains. Make sure you lawn is mown and your wheelie bins are secured away.
• Neighbourhood Watch - Consider joining or setting up a local neighbourhood watch scheme. These act as a deterrent to offenders as they feel people are keeping an eye on each other’s property. It is also a good place to share good practice. You can find more details about the schemes form St Mary’s Wharf police station.
• Immobilise - Immobilise is the world’s largest free register of possession ownership details.  It can be used by members of the public and businesses to register their valued possessions or company assets.  Police can access this national database and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.
  www.immobilise.com
  

Fraud / Internet Safety

Telephone scams

Bogus calls designed to convince you to hand over your credit card or bank details are a real problem. Be cautious. If you are contacted by telephone and told that you have won a prize, think for a minute: did you enter any competitions?

The vast majority of the time, these calls are scams, originating from abroad and designed to convince you to give over personal details such as your bank account number or credit card information.

If this happens to you, just hang up the phone. If you ever do win, you will never be asked for personal details, nor would you ever have to pay anything in order to collect your winnings.

Remember -

• never give out personal details over the phone
• always ask for more information
• be sure you know who you're talking to
• keep your bank account details safe

Internet Fraud

This is one of the fastest growing areas of illegal activity in the UK, as over the last few years hackers have succeed in a number of internet scams convincing those shopping on line to give their account details.

If you shop online, take a few easy steps to ensure that your personal information is always protected...

• make sure your web-browser is set to the highest security level
• use a recent version of a web browser - they have better security features
• look for a padlock symbol at the bottom of the page and 'https' at the beginning of the web address. If those are not there, do not enter credit card information
• if you have concerns, telephone the company to ask about its encryption
• print out your electronic receipt and keep it safe
• check bank and credit card statements to make sure the details match
• never disclose your PIN numbers to anyone, including people who claim to be from your bank
• remember, your bank will never ask you to reenter your account information, and they will never ask you to send your pin.

Vehicle Security

Since 1997, vehicle crime has fallen dramatically, but more than a million vehicles are still broken into, damaged or stolen every year. There's a lot you can do to ensure that your car isn't one of them.

Some of the advice may sound obvious, but it could make all the difference if you follow it:

• Don't leave items on display - Never leave anything on display when you leave your vehicle. Even an old coat or a plastic bag can tempt a thief.
• Use immobilisers - prevent your engine from starting and you have the best way to stop a thief from taking your car
• Park safely - where ever possible always try to park in your garage, if not try to park in well lit areas and in line of your sight at home
• Buy a steering wheel locks - use this every time you leave your vehicle
• Get an alarm fitted - this may not only deter thieves from stealing your car but may also prevent them from taking items from it
• Secure your wheels - locking wheel nuts are easy to fit and stop thieves from taking your wheels
• Use Park Mark® car parks - always try and park your car in an attended car park. The Park Mark® brand is part of an approved police safer parking scheme
• Check before buying a used vehicle - It is up to you to make sure the vehicle you want isn't stolen. For more information you can visit the Directgov website. If you have any suspicions, notify the police immediately.

Tips for safe travel

Here are a few tips to make your journeys safer.

• use a bus stop you know, or one that appears busy and well lit
• if you're going to an unfamiliar place, have friends meet you at your destination
• sit close to the driver
• wait on a well lit section of platform, near other people
• sit in a busy compartment at the front of the train
• as often as possible, use a taxi company you know, or one recommended by family or friends
• if you have booked a taxi over the phone, make sure the driver knows your name and destination, in order to ensure it's the correct taxi
• have your money and keys ready so that you can get into your home quickly at the end of your journey
• if you feel uncomfortable in a taxi, ask the driver to stop in a busy familiar place and get out of the car

Tips for Street Safety

The chances of you or a member of your family becoming a victim of violent crime are low. Violent crimes by strangers in public places are still rare and account for a very small part of recorded crime.

However, you can make yourself even less likely to be the victim of a violent crime such as robbery or mugging by taking a few sensible precautions. Many are common sense, and may be things you already do. Making yourself safer doesn't mean changing your entire lifestyle, and it doesn't mean never going out at all.

• You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas
• Try to look and act confident - look like you know where you are going and walk tall.
• You might like to spread your valuables around your body. For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket.
• If someone tries to take something from you, it may just be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury.
• You can use reasonable force in self-defence. You are allowed to protect yourself with something you are carrying anyway (for example, keys or a can of deodorant), but you may not carry a weapon.
• When out walking or jogging, you should not listen to a personal stereo through headphones, so you can stay more alert to your surroundings.