Switch on to keep burglars at bay

Archived press release

Date Published: 19/10/09

Is your home secure?

As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, Aylesbury Vale residents are being offered free timer light switches.

In response to the traditional rise in burglaries after the clocks go back, the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is working on an initiative which targets residents who get home after dark in the winter months, such as commuters and late night shoppers.

Residents are being asked to consider using their timer light switch to leave a light on if they plan to return home after dark. Other advice is to regularly vary the times they set timer switches to turn on and off.

Over the next four weeks, staff from Thames Valley Police and Aylesbury Vale District Council’s community safety team will be at bus stations, train stations and town centres handing out timer switches, energy efficient light bulbs and property marking kits along with information about how to secure homes effectively against burglaries.

“A home in darkness between 4pm and 9pm tells potential burglars that nobody’s home. By using timer light switches, preferably fitted with a low energy bulb, residents can protect their property by creating the impression that someone’s home” said Kama Wager, Crime Reduction Officer at Thames Valley Police. “We want to make residents who return home after dark aware of simple steps they can take to make their home more secure.”

Timer light switches will be available from the Community Safety Shop in Hale Leys, the AVDC offices at 66 High Street, and at Aylesbury, Wendover and Waddesdon Police Stations. The switches will also be available from Buckingham Library and the Old Gaol. A number of additional events will take place at train and bus stations from 26 October.

More advice can be found at www.thamesvalley.police.uk/crprev or contact your local community safety team on 01296 585858.