Tag Archives: Sheds

Bicycles, CheckMEND, Crime, Fraud, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, NMPR

Beat the Burglars this Summer

 

Summer is such a great time of year… the sun is shining (well some of the time), the evenings are longer and everyone seems to be in a much better mood. Whether you are breaking up from school, university or just looking forward to that long-awaited summer holiday (like me), we will all be preparing for some fun activities this summer.

As part of that preparation be aware that if you’re leaving your home and worldly possessions unattended, for even a short period of time, make sure it is safe and secure. The last thing you want after all the excitement of the summer holidays is to find that your possessions have been stolen in one of the 2.1 million burglaries that occur in Britain every year!

So, what can we do about it?

Deter burglars

Homes are 5 times more likely to be burgled if they have no security measures, so it is really important that we do as much as possible to deter burglars from targeting our homes. Taking just a few steps can make a huge difference in keeping your home safe.

  • Lock your doors properly. It sounds so simple but most burglars get in through windows and doors that aren’t locked properly or have flimsy mechanisms. Be sure to invest in strong, visible locks.
  • Install an alarm. Nothing puts burglars off more than an alarm going off.
  • Put Immobilise stickers in obvious places such as garden sheds so they are visible to burglars who will know you have listed your property on Immobilise which makes it harder for them to sell it
  • Use timers on your light switches and get a Fake TV 

 Lock Down 

Remember to lock everything up and keep anything of worth out of sight

  • Keep expensive jewellery in a locked safe
  • Keep TV’s and tech equipment out of view of windows
  • If there is someone you trust, ask if they can check on your property for you and take in your post
  • Don’t discuss holiday plans on social media. Burglars are more likely to live in your surrounding neighbourhood and may even be part of your social network.

Register on Immobilise

  • Should you be unfortunate enough to have any possessions stolen, having a list of everything on immobilise provides the Police with the information they need to be able to return your belongings when found.
  • Immobilise offer many products to mark your property which means it is much easier to identify. From UV pens to the infamous ImmobiTAG for bicycles. Click to visit the Immobilise shop. 

 

Immobilise, Immobilize

Crime free Christmas shopping checklist

christmas-shopping-london-600Christmas is an exciting and hectic time especially when it comes to shopping. Unfortunately, the festive season is also a time of increased crime particularly in busy shopping areas providing rich-pickings for pick pockets and other criminals!

Best practice whilst out shopping

  • Put cash and cards away safely (not in your back pocket) before leaving the till or cash machine. Try not to keep all your valuables in one place, especially your phone – Should your bag be lost/stolen at least you can still call for help!
  • Use debit or credit cards where possible in place of cash, only withdraw what you need so you avoid carrying large amounts.
  • Shield the keypad when typing your PIN when making payments or withdrawing cash. If you see anything suspicious alert the bank or call the police on 101.
  • Don’t make it easy for thieves by hanging bags on chairs. If you’re having a well-earned break keep your bag and shopping in sight.
  • Keep an eye on your phone, be wary of leaving it behind at tills, coffee shops or dropping it. Make sure the IMEI is registered on Immobilise! Simply dial *#06# to get its unique number.
  • Avoid openly wearing expensive jewellery and watches in crowded/public places. Registering them with photographs and descriptions, plus details of any engraving will help identify them as yours.
  • Park vigilantly in an open, well-lit area. Visit parkmark.co.uk for details of approved carparks (Park Mark is a Police Crime Prevention Initiative).
  • If you must store presents in a car make sure they are out of view and that the car is securely locked. Receipts should be stored separately.
  • Be vigilant – As always please remain alert and report suspicious activity to the police on 999 if a crime is in progress, 101 in a non-emergency or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Continue reading Crime free Christmas shopping checklist →

Bicycles, CheckMEND, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, NMPR, Police

Christmas is a busy time…for thieves – 10 Crime prevention tips

Christmas brings the busiest shopping weeks of the year and for many retailers often accounts for 70% of their annual revenue. Stocking our homes with the latest electronic gadgets, jewellery and must-have accessories is commonplace, unfortunately though it provides thieves with an increased incentive to commit burglaries.

christmas-burglar-820x2

10 crime prevention tips you shouldn’t ignore…

TIP 1: Deterring would-be criminals is one of the most effective forms of crime prevention. Invest in a motion sensor flood-light or even some outdoor Christmas lights to highlight your home’s exterior. This will hopefully make approaching your home too conspicuous for a burglar. Also, highlighting the fact your possessions are security marked and registered on Immobilise using window decals provide a further warning that your goods are traceable and not worth the risk of stealing!

TIP 2: Festive lighting – be secure. A common mistake of many festive decorators is to feed extension cables through partially open windows, criminals know to look for this vulnerability. When it comes to outdoor lighting, opt for solar or battery operated lights or install outdoor electrical outlets.

TIP 3: Dispose of gift packaging carefully. Refuse collections over the Christmas and New Year period are normally at different times. If you can’t take packaging to a recycling point, make sure you only put your rubbish out just before the collection and do your best to break apart boxes so that they do not advertise your new contents of your home to thieves!

TIP 4: Be careful not to advertise your home to burglars on social media! According to one recent study, social media is a commonly used tool for scouting potential targets. Social media savvy families have a tendency to publish their whereabouts during the holiday season, including any vacation plans. This can let burglars know when your house is going to be empty. Uploaded photos of pricey Christmas gifts can also be a problem as if privacy settings aren’t tied down, it can allow burglars to go shopping just by viewing your Facebook profile.

TIP 5: Check doors and windows for weak spots. Government statistics show that 30% of burglaries happen through windows. Installing a few dead-bolts and new window hinges could increase the security of your home exponentially.

TIP 6: Keep your curtains, drapes and window blinds closed at night, making sure valuable items are out of sight. When going out for the evening make use of inexpensive timers to give the illusion of occupancy, you should also consider leaving a radio on or go further and invest in a Fake TV device to emulate the light given of by at television.

TIP 7: Away over Christmas – plan ahead! If you’re going away at Christmas be sure to cancel newspaper or milk subscriptions. Arrange for a neighbour to park on the driveway to help create the impression someone is home. Don’t leave overly descriptive telephone answering machine messages and again make use of light timers, radios and devices like Fake TV’s.

TIP 8: Secure garages and sheds. Make sure that garden tools or ladders that could be used to force entry into your home are not left lying around or accessible from an unlocked garden shed. Garages are often targets for burglars looking for tools, bikes and gardening equipment – make sure the garage is secure and your possessions are secured too in the case of bikes and tools. Naturally make sure anything portable / valuable is recorded on immobilise.

TIP 9: Don’t hide keys and use alarms if you have them. Burglars know to look for hidden door keys so don’t hide spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, or above door ledges. Instead give the spare key to family or trusted neighbour. Many houses these days have alarms, many though are rarely set, make sure yours is on and protecting your home when you are away and overnight where possible.

TIP 10: And lastly, don’t forget to register your gifts on Immobilise (www.immobilise.com)! Most gadgets have a unique identification code such as a serial number or for mobile phones an IMEI number – This IMEI number can be found quickly and easily by pressing the following keys on your mobile handset: *#06#. If your gift doesn’t have a unique identifier there are several affordable marking kits available from the Immobilise store allowing the police to easily identify the owners of items they recover and so detect crime.

We hope that you find these tips useful and encourage you to share them with your family, friends and colleagues. As always please remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately to the police on 999 if a crime is in progress, 101 in a non-emergency or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, NMPR, Police

Immobilise helps Hull bike shops and police crackdown on cycle theft

The Hull Daily Mail has reported that bike  shop owners are joining forces with police to tackle the scourge of cycle theft. Participating stores are encouraging people that purchase new bikes to register them on the online Immobilise National Property Database.

If the bike is stolen and recovered, police will be able to check the database via their NMPR system and return it to its owner.

Chris Hardy, Hull’s secondhand dealers officer, said:

Cycle stores have been quick to embrace the opportunity to support the police with this initiative, which is a fantastic opportunity for their customers to get their cycles registered on Immobilise before they leave the store.

By increasing the number of cycles registered online, I hope we can reduce cycle thefts in the city, as thieves will be reluctant to take property that is identifiable and can lead to prosecution for stealing the cycles or even handling stolen property.

As well as cycles, other property can be registered by the public on to the system once an account has been set up.

Bike theft has been rising in the city with an increase in shed and garage break-ins.

Ainthorpe Primary School pupil Grace Horton, nine, was reunited with her beloved bike three days after a burglary at her family’s home in West Hull. It had been stamped and added to Immobilise during an event run by police at the school.

Her mum Julie said:

She was inconsolable when I told her it had been stolen, even when I said I would buy her a new bike.

She said she just wanted her old one back.

Grace’s bike was found dumped outside a house three days after the break-in last month. The occupant called the police, who checked the their systems and realised it belonged to Grace.

Miss Horton said:

She was absolutely over the moon when the police said she could have her bike back.

I am so pleased she had it stamped, otherwise we never would have seen it again.

For more information please visit:

The Immobilise Property Register: www.immoblise.com

The Humberside Police website: www.humberside.police.uk

For the source story please go to: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-bike-shops-crackdown-cycle-theft 

 

Crime, Immobilise, Police, Report My Loss

Police warning over Bank Holiday crime

The Retford times has reported that with warmer weather expected over the extended bank holidays, police are reminding people to keep their homes safe from burglars.

One in three burglaries take place when thieves simply walk in through unlocked doors, or reach in to steal items through open windows.

Darren Surgey, one of Notts Police’s crime reduction managers, said:

While burglaries at insecure properties is not typically seasonal, we often see an increase when the weather is warmer.

With extended time off work due to bank holidays, people are more likely to be spending time outside, which can increase the risk of leaving doors unlocked and windows open. It only takes a second for a burglar to walk in through an open door and steal goods.

We would like to remind people that thieves are often opportunists who may try a door to see if they can get inside. Lock your doors whether you are inside or not, and don’t leave anything valuable on view within reach of an open window.

By taking a few simple steps, you can help protect your home:

  • Ensure your doors are locked to prevent a burglar from ‘walking in’.
  • Close your windows when you go out and always ensure valuable items are not left on view or within easy reach.
  • Look in when you’re out – use a timer switch to make your lights come on at night.
  • Set your burglar alarm.
  • Remove keys from view and don’t leave them in the lock or on a hall table.
  • Visit www.immobilise.com to register your items on a free property website.
  • As it gets dark, draw curtains or close blinds to prevent rooms from being visible to anyone outside.
  • Ask for proof of identity before letting anyone into your home.
  • Join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

If you have any information about those responsible for committing burglaries, call police on 0300 3009999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Don-t-let-crime-rise-temperature/article-3497010-detail/article.html

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Students

Cumbria Police increase festive burglary patrols

The News & Star in Cumbria has reported that Police patrols are being stepped up in a bid to stop thieves cashing in on Christmas and spoiling families’ festive season.

Cumbria’s force chiefs also revealed that they had recovered £1,700 of stolen property as part of investigations into a spate of burglaries in north Allerdale.

They have also issued a warning to householders, saying: “Don’t let thieves spoil your Christmas” and urged them to keep possessions “safe, hidden and locked”.

Police teams across the county are distributing a festive flyer, with tips on how to keep valuables, cars and houses safe at a time when burglaries traditionally increase.

PC Simon Evans, of north Cumbria’s community safety squad, said:

By following these messages, you can hopefully have a crime-free Christmas.

Crime-cutting efforts in the area will include the promotion of a website – www.immobilise.com – that allows people to register property for free, recording unique information that can be used by police to trace owners of stolen property.

Inspector Dennis Kelly, who heads west Cumbria’s burglary action team, said:

We are raising awareness of the importance of securing homes effectively and asking for the community’s help to provide us with information if they see anything or anyone acting suspiciously.

If you see something, please call us. Your small piece of information could help us to build up an intelligence picture and could mean that we can intervene and stop a crime from happening.

To read the source article in full please go to: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/

Crime, Immobilise, Police, Report My Loss

Police give seasonal safety advice during community safety day

Police give seasonal safety adviceThe Wincanton neighbourhood policing team has been out delivering festive message to its residents

More than 450 homes were visited by the team who spoke to residents about what steps to take to take for a crime-free Christmas. People at home were reminded not to tempt thieves by keeping presents out of sight, making sure their house is secure and that empty houses looked occupied by leaving a television or radio on and using timer switches on lights.

The day of activity, on Wednesday 9 December, was undertaken in partnership with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service who spoke to residents about fire prevention this winter. Residents were asked to ensure smoke alarms were fitted and working, reminded not to overload power sockets and advised to check their Christmas tree lights before putting them up.

Where there was no answer at houses an advice leaflet was posted through its door.

The event was organised by Police Constable Sara Stephenson, the beat manager for Bruton. Speaking afterwards, Sara said:

Christmas is a special time for people to relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Becoming a victim of crime at Christmas can spoil the festive period so we have been out reminding people how to avoid being targeted this year. The message was well received by the residents we spoke to and I am confident most will act on the advice we gave.

Top tips for staying safe:

  • Lock up and set the alarm in the evening as well as when you go out
  • Seem in when you’re out by setting a timer switch to turn the lights on at dusk
  • Post code your valuables and register them for free at www.immobilise.com – it could help convict a burglar and return your property
  • Keep your keys and handbag or wallet hidden safely out of sight
  • Don’t advertise your property to thieves: hide Christmas presents and don’t put boxes out for rubbish collection, bag them first
  • Join or set up Neighbourhood Watch
  • Call police immediately if you see anything you think is suspicious
  • Make sure ladders and tools are secured otherwise a thief could use them to break into your home.

To view the source article please go to: Avon and Somerset Police Website

Crime, Immobilise, Police

Operation Twilight – Leave a light on this winter!

With autumn now upon us and the nights drawing in, Sussex Police are encouraging residents to leave a light on this winter.

Leaving your home during hours of darkness, without putting a light on or drawing the curtains, is an open invitation to the opportunist criminal that there is no-one at home.

This simple message is one of the key themes of this year’s “Operation Twilight” campaign – which offers valuable advice on how to go about ensuring burglars are left in the dark during the winter months.

Dennis Donovan, Force Crime Prevention Officer from the Community Safety Branch said:

It sounds simple advice, but when it is dark outside people don’t always think to draw their curtains or leave a light on if they are going to be out.

To the opportunist burglar, it is almost an invite. A house that is in darkness is the easiest target as no-one is likely to be home. It doesn’t take long for a burglar to get inside and steal property, particularly things that are easy to sell such as televisions, videos, computers, jewellery and antiques.

Unfortunately, every year sees a spate of early evening burglaries associated with the clocks going back and Sussex Police will be distributing Operation Twilight flyers throughout the Force area.

Between January 1st and the end of July 2006 the number of burglaries in Sussex had reduced by 21%, meaning 1,388 fewer victims in real terms. This is the biggest year-on-year percentage reduction for more than a decade and Sussex Police want to ensure this success continues.

In addition to regististering property on the Immobilise Property Register, the Sussex Police website also provides a good checklist of actions to consider to make your home more secure this winter. To view them please go to the Sussex Police website where the source news story can be read in full:

http://www.sussex.police.uk/operations/op_twilight.asp

Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police, Report My Loss

Police advise that defensive planting can deter thieves

Police in Avon and Somerset are helping residents combat crime by encouraging them to take up gardening! Gardens are often the first line of defence against crime as two-thirds of burglars gain entry to homes via the back of the property. There advice although aimed at local residents, is just as relevant wherever you live whether that be in town or county.

The summer months also see an increase in thefts from gardens and sheds as people bring out their garden furniture and equipment as the weather improves.

The value of property stored in gardens, sheds and garages is often much more than people realise and can soon add up. Power tools, plants, containers, hand tools, sports equipment, cycles and toys are among those items most frequently taken by garden thieves.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary suggest that using defensive planting and prickly bushes to enhance the security of boundaries, around drainpipes or beneath ground floor windows, making forced entry more difficult and less attractive to would be burglars, is a simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly crime prevention favourite.

Marking power tools with postcodes and house numbers is also effective. These details can then be placed on www.immobilise.com which can be used by members of the public and businesses to register their valued possessions or company assets. Alternatively, permanently mark them by scratching or painting this will also reduce their value to the thief.

Crime Reduction Officer Tony Alderman from Taunton said:

People can take very simple but effective crime reduction measures, which can have a dramatic effect on their property’s overall security.

Clever planting, padlocks on gates and sheds and motion sensor lights are inexpensive and effective. Garden tools are often used to assist the burglar breaking into a property – ladders, are particularly helpful to thieves for example, so keep them locked away.

To read the source article in full go to: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, Police

Police advise people to secure garden sheds

1 Comment

The Leigh Journal has reported that POLICE are urging people to lock up sheds and garages to stop burglars using gardening equipment to break into homes.

They should also fit alarms and security lights.

The warning comes from PS Glynn Worley who said:

Thieves can easily use tools lying around to break into someone’s home.

The average shed or garage contains hundreds of pounds worth of equipment, and if they are insecure then offenders don’t even need to break into homes to steal valuables.

Police recommend that residents install shed alarms and security lights and security mark power tools, bikes and other valuable items with ultraviolet marker pens.

Items should be chained together using a high-security chain or cable and a good quality padlock, and the chain should be securely fastened to the wall or floor.

For even greater peace of mind, residents are urged to register valuable items on www.immobilise.com, free of charge.

To read the source article in full please go to: Leigh Journal