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Burglary Prevention

Dear Residents,

 

Your local policing team have noticed an increase in calls for service around burglaries (residential and outbuildings like sheds/outhouses etc) in neighbouring Wards. Your local policing team are doing all they can to prevent these from happening within our own area, however we do need your help.

 

Burglary is an impactive crime on the victim, and only by working together and looking out for each other would we be able to prevent our properties from becoming a target.

 

There are two types of burglaries:

 

1 - Distraction burglary (Distraction burglars pretend to be someone they are not in order to gain entry to your home) 

 

Common methods used by distraction burglars:

  • Pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak.
  • Seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water if they claim to be thirsty or unwell.
  • Claiming to be in a hurry or emergency and needing to get into your home quickly.
  • Working in teams, with one person distracting you while the other searches your home.

    •  

    There are several things you can do to prevent distraction burglary. Always remember "if in doubt, keep them out":

  • Use your door viewer to see who’s there.
  • If you open the door, put the chain on first.
  • Always ask for ID and check it with the company before letting somebody into your home.
  • Use the phone number advertised in the phone book or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department. Close the door while you do this.
  • Remember that genuine callers won’t mind checks. If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there?
  • For pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up.

    •  

    2 – Residential Burglaries (break into your property to steal items) 

     

    There are a couple of things that we could consider when highlighting crime prevention, namely.

  • If you are going away, consider having automatic plugin time switch to operate a lamp or light at pre-set times when you’re away. 
  • Consider requesting a trusted relative/neighbour to look after your address whilst away.
  • Consider having external lighting.
  • Consider having a house alarm.
  • Consider purchasing CCTV or ring doorbell.
  • If you have gates or fences, please consider closing and locking them.

    •  

    The team and I have conducted several foot patrols including plain clothes operations and was surprised to see the amount of insecurities within the neighbourhood. Make your property looked lived in, even when you go out!

     

    The plea from your local Neighbourhood team, is look out for each other – check in on your neighbours and family.

     

    If you see or hear anything suspicious, can you please report it on 999 (in an emergency), 101 (non-emergency) or on-line. 

     

    Feel free to share the alert with family, friends, neighbours, and social media by clicking the 'Share' button below this alert.

     

    You can also rate this message by clicking the 'Rate' button below this alert.

     

    Kind Regards

     

    Dave

    Cleethorpes Policing Team

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    Message Sent By
    David Cave
    (Humberside Police, Police Constable, Grimsby East)
    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials