Recent burglaries in the area have been at the rear of properties. Beware!

  •  Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
  •  Register items with a serial number at www.immobilise.com
  •  Do not leave your car keys, valuables or ID documents near a door, letterbox or window.
  •  Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if you feel anxious.
  •  Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
  •  Keep your valuables out of sight.
  •  Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Use an automatic time switch on an indoor light, either in a room that cannot be peered into from the road, or upstairs.  Consider drawing the curtains if you are in a room with the lights switched on.  Regularly change the timing on the switch.
  •  Fit security lighting, either dusk to dawn energy efficient lighting that will come on automatically as dusk sets in, or a passive infra-red (PIR) light that will draw attention to movement.
  •  Fit a 5 lever mortice lock to your front door and other external doors.  Consider installing a burglar alarm.
  •  Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked.
  •  Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time. Ask a neighbour to periodically check and keep an “eye” on your property.
  •  Put a time switch on a radio that has been tuned to a chat station, this will give the impression that the house is occupied. Again, regularly change the timing on the switch.
  •  Property mark your valuables with your postcode and house number. Some articles are unsuitable for marking so photograph them – with a ruler in view to show scale.
  •  Secure windows, paying particular attention to those on the ground floor and above flat roof areas. Always use locks and bolts and keep all your keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach. Ground floor windows should have key operated locks unless used as a fire escape. Ensure that patio doors have at least three locking points fitted.
  •  Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and all fences are secure.  Don’t forget to lock your shed; your tools can be used to break in.  Trim overgrown plants – don’t give burglars a hiding place. Always keep your garden shed and garage doors locked, if open the burglars love using your tools to force entry.
  •  Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent against burglars.  Before choosing a system ensure it is the one most suitable for your needs.

For further advice visit the following websites: www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention

Trust your instincts. Always call 999 if you see anybody acting suspiciously in your area, giving their description and/or vehicle registration number to the operator.

If you require any further advice about Crime Prevention then contact your local SNT Office. Go to this link for SNT contact details in Riddlesdown.

Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are a very popular target with burglars and are often overlooked when security is being considered.  The value of the contents, such as garden mowers, strimmers and cycles can often add up to many hundreds of pounds.  It is therefore wise to secure the shed door with at least one heavy duty hasp and closed-shackle padlock.

It may not always be appropriate to fit a heavy duty padlock, hasp and staple as the shed door and frame may not be strong enough to support them.  There are a range of smaller but sturdy padlocks, padbolts, hasps and staples which would be suitable.  Whether fitting heavy duty devices or otherwise, always use coach-bolt fixings through the door and frame.

All opening windows within the shed will require good window locks.

In addition to fitting external physical security to your shed, it is worth considering the installation of an alarm.  This does not mean a complete burglar alarm system, though, if your house already has such an installation, it may be possible for it to be extended to the shed.  There are various stand-alone devices on the market specifically designed for remote use in garages or sheds.

The major problem with vulnerable garden sheds is that they provide burglars with an arsenal of house breaking implements, e.g. the versatile garden spade: because of the blade size and the leverage that can be exerted, few door or window locks can withstand a prolonged attack from this implement.  If the shed is too fragile to secure adequately, the spade should either be bolted or padlocked to a heavy bench or frame, or, better still, kept in a more secure place such as a locked garage.  Alternatively, your tools can be secured by chaining them together.

Consider the use of a strong lockable box or cage within the shed in which you can store not only your garden tools but also insecticides, weed killers or other items which may be harmful to health or plants if improperly used.

The Secret Language of Crime

Burglars have in the past been scrawling secret symbols in the street to help other criminals know which properties to target.  The symbols may indicate that a home is wealthy, has already been burgled or may have nothing worth stealing.  They may also indicate if there is a vulnerable female in the home, or if the occupant is nervous, afraid or gullible.

The meaning behind a number of the symbols has been decoded by officers who have put out a reminder in a bid to warn the public.  

If you see any such symbols chalked in your street please advise your local Safer Neighbourhood Team so that they are aware.