Take action against burglary

Archived press release

Date Published: 02/04/09

Aylesbury Vale residents are being reminded how to prevent burglary in the run up to the National Burglary Awareness Day on 7 April.

The day is designed to raise awareness of burglary and burglary prevention.

The Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is issuing top tips to help prevent residents becoming burglary victims:

• Ensure doors and windows are closed properly and locked – in communal buildings access through a main door can give a burglar an opportunity to force open doors of individual flats undetected
• Property mark your valuables with a free property marking kit
• Use a light timer switch when you’re out at night or away on holiday
• Keep car keys away from front doors so thieves cannot steal them through the letterbox, and install a letterbox hood
• Hang blinds or net curtains in windows where it is easy to see in from the street
• Fit gates in alleyways and keep them closed – thieves are less likely to be discovered breaking in at the back of a property
• Lock away garden tools which can be used to gain access to the home
• Don’t leave keys under doormats or behind flowerpots
• Recycle packaging from electrical goods as soon as possible – leaving it outside advertises the new purchase to a burglar
• Arrange for a friend or neighbour to collect post while on holiday
• Do not let callers into your home if you do not know them and they have not made an appointment
• Join a local neighbourhood watch scheme

Residents are also advised to make sure their property is clearly marked with their door number and postcode – thieves don’t like things which are easily identified.

Anyone living in the district who is disabled or over 60 is entitled to a free security check, and if necessary locks, spyholes and other equipment can be installed for free.

Free property marking kits and light timer switches are available from the community safety team.

For more information contact the AVDC community safety team on 01296 585061 or email communitysafety@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

The Home Office have launched a security assessment tool on-line to help residents identify where their home may be vulnerable. Please visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/secureyourhome to carry out this test.