From time to time we hear about robbery and break-ins in the Parish. Fortunately these are few and far between.
Here is the latest advice from the Police:
1. Have a lock fitted to your garden gate 2. If you have your windows open in the hot weather, put restricted openers on them, especially when you are in the garden, maybe with your BBQ. 3. Fit external safety lights. 4. Fit an indoors timer light. 5. Make an inventory of all your collectables and valuables and record any serial numbers. Take photographs and keep a record in a secure place. 6. Fit good quality door and window locks and don't leave any windows and doors unlocked..even for a moment. 7. Don't leave keys for the Car and doors where they can be 'fished' or 'hooked' through the letter box or cat flap. 8. Fit a letter box cage to prevent attempts to open the door. 9. High value items of property should be kept out of sight..avoid temptation. 10. Sheds and garages are full of tools, ideal for breaking into the rest of the house. Never the these areas unlocked. 11. Consider looking around your property through 'burglars eyes'. Are there places where they could break in unseen? 12. Light up you house at night, use low energy bulbs. Theives don't like being seen and this will deter them. 13. Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. You could also sign up to the Police messaging service at www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org
Having just been the victim of a garage break-in, where the thieves drilled a hole next to the garage door lock and cut a hole big enough to reach through and undo the lock from the inside, here is some advice to foil the garage burglar. Drill a hole through the bottom flange of the door in two places and into the floor of the garage at least 2 inches deep. When leaving the garage locked, insert pins or bolts throught the flange into the holes. This will prevent the door from being opened. Also you could instal a PIR operated light inside the garage with an audible alarm also connected to the light. Anyone entering the garage will be illuminated and you will hear their presence. Reasonable force can be used to apprehend anyone entering your property.
All mobile equipment can be registered on a nationwide police database. Click here to gain access.....it's free and it's quick.
For valuable advice about the security of moble phones click here
