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WATCHFUL OBSERVER
www.dumfriesandgalwatch.co.uk
June 2010
Link
to latest AoSNW Newsletter
Association of Chief Police Officers in
In June and July police forces across
Members of Neighbourhood Watches in
You can make a difference by passing on information about
underage sales and anti-social drinking to the police. You can do this either
by getting in touch with the non-emergency phone number for your police force
or, if you would rather provide information anonymously, by calling the
independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Kate Johnston, National Manager for Crimestoppers in
“Calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 is a safe way
you can help fight crime and make your community safer. Contacting the charity
is completely anonymous, so no one will ever know you called. Calls cannot be
traced, are not recorded and will not appear on an itemised bill. You will not
have to appear in court if you give information to Crimestoppers.
Information can also be passed on using the online giving information form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
where your IP address is untraceable.”
It’s easy to think that someone else will have already told the police about
the shop that sells alcohol to under-18s, or the place where people have started
hanging out to drink and get into trouble. Often, however, this is not the
case. You can support the police campaign to make your community safer this summer
by phoning Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary on 0845 600 5701 or Crimestoppers, and passing on the information you have.
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Security Advice
Doors
All external doors
should be of solid construction and fitted with locks that at least meet
British Standard 3621 (e.g. mortise locks or integrated multi-locking systems).
Look for the BS kite mark. If in doubt consult a qualified locksmith. Ideally
the locking mechanism should include bolts at the top and bottom as well as the
main one in the middle. Door frames should be well
fitted, secure and robust with little or no cavities around them; otherwise the
door will just give way when forced. Any glass panels should be laminated and
fitted into the structure of the door, not merely held in place by putty,
wooden or UPVC batons.
The same standard should apply
to all external doors into your house, not just the front door. There's no
point having a hefty high security front door if your other doors don't have
the same level of security. Thieves will quickly identify the weakest point of
entry into your house. Treat any connecting doors to garages as external doors
(as garage doors are not secure) and make sure that patio doors and French
windows are equally secure. Fit a door viewer ("peephole") and chain
to your front door. Your doors will of course not be secure unless you lock
them. Keep your doors locked, even when you are in the house. Thieves can
easily sneak in and steal your car keys or valuables from the hall without you
noticing. Pay particular attention to locking your front door if you are in a
back room or in the back garden. Don't leave keys in the door, keep them out of
reach of the letterbox or windows (but easily accessible in case of emergency).
Windows
Nearly half of all burglaries
are through windows. Ground floor windows and those accessible from rooftops or
drainpipes are most at risk. These should all have key operated window locks.
Sash windows can be easily fitted with locking sash bolts. Don't leave keys in the locks or within sight, but keep them nearby
in case of emergency. Thieves don’t like smashing glass; it may draw attention
to them. If you’re replacing glass, fit laminate glass as this is the most
resilient against attack. Be conscious of what can be seen through your window
from the street. You may like sitting in your living room with the lights on
and the curtains open, but do you really want everyone going past to see your
new flat screen TV and expensive HI-FI?
Garages
& sheds
Check your garage door. If it's
an up-and-over style with a catch at the top, is there a gap at the top large
enough to fit long-nosed pliers through? If so then fit something to block the
gap where the catch is - even a simple piece of metal attached to the door
frame where the catch is can be enough to slow down a thief. Sheds are
particularly vulnerable as they are usually not very secure. Ideally, avoid
keeping anything of value in sheds if possible. When choosing a location for a
new shed, try to put it somewhere visible to neighbours or the road, rather
than in a secluded corner. Fit a lock or padlock to shed doors, but remember to
keep things in proportion. There's no point fitting a great big padlock if the
hinges can be removed in minutes with a screwdriver, or if the windows are just
plastic sheets. Given that most sheds are flimsy affairs and therefore hard to
secure, consider fitting a shed alarm. These are cheap and easy to install and
might act as a better deterrent. Make sure you indicate to potential thieves
that an alarm is installed, e.g. with a sticker on the window. If you keep
bikes in your garage or shed, keep them padlocked to something (or each other).
It won't stop a determined burglar but may slow down an opportunist thief from
making a quick getaway with it.
Around your
home
As well as securing your home
itself, it's worth thinking about your garden and surroundings. High walls,
fences or hedges offer privacy but also provide cover for thieves. Gravel
drives and paths mean you can hear when people approach your house. Look around
your house and imagine yourself as a thief - how would you get in? Install
motion-operated security lighting in areas that are not normally illuminated,
such as at the back of your home. This can draw attention to unwanted visitors
and deter casual thieves. However, be considerate to your neighbours and site
it appropriately (pointing down into your garden, not into their bedroom
window). Keep the on-time short. There's no point it staying on for half an
hour every time a cat goes past. A motion-sensor light outside your front door
is also a good idea, but make it reasonable. A 500W halogen light in your face
is not a great way to welcome your visitors! Don't hide spare keys under plant pots or doormats. Wherever you
might think of hiding a key, a thief would probably think to look in the same
place.
Alarms &
CCTV
Alarms are a great way to deter
thieves but should be considered a supplement, not an alternative to good
security. Choose an alarm carefully; ensuring it is appropriate for your
property. Make sure the alarm box is sited appropriately so that it can be seen
and heard from the street. Ideally, it should not be possible to tell from
outside if the alarm is armed or not. (Flashing lights are all very nice, but
make it obvious when you forget to arm it one night.) Some alarm systems can
alert a security service when they are triggered. This gives the best
protection, shop around as is quite costly. Some insurance companies give
discounts for having an alarm. You may also be required to use your alarm in
accordance with your insurer’s dictates, and failure to do so by any member of
the family could result in your claim being declined. False alarms are a
nuisance to your neighbours (who will eventually just ignore it), so try to
ensure your alarm does not keep going off unnecessarily. Some alarm systems
include features to prevent false alarms. If you hear a neighbour's alarm,
don't just ignore it. Look out of your window or go outside to have a look.
However, don't put yourself at risk by entering their property to investigate.
If you suspect someone is there then call the police immediately. Take note of
anything suspicious such as a description of anyone you see leaving, or the
details of any unusual vehicles that are nearby, as well as noting the date and
time.
Home CCTV systems have dropped
in price considerably, but you should think carefully before installing one.
Unless you install a system that continually records the images somewhere
secure (i.e. not easily stolen by the burglar that broke in!) they may be of
limited use, other than as a deterrent. The cameras need to be situated
somewhere they cannot easily be tampered with (e.g. cable cut or camera
obscured). You must also make sure the camera only points at your own property,
so you don't get accused of "spying" on your neighbours or people in the
street.
When leaving your home
unoccupied, don't make it obvious that you are away. Don't leave notes at your
door telling people you are away. Remember to cancel the milk and newspapers
and ask a neighbour to push in any mail left in the letterbox. You may also
wish to use the Royal Mail "Keepsafe" service. (For a small fee they
will hold on to your mail until your return.) Remember that anything that looks
different from normal will draw attention to your house. Leaving an outside light
on when you don't normally do so, for example, can actually draw attention to
your house and suggest you are away. Curtains open all night or closed all day
make a house look unoccupied. (But don't be tempted to leave them half-open -
that just makes it look unoccupied night and day!) Ideally, ask a trusted
neighbour to keep an eye on your house and open & close the curtains each
day. It may seem like an imposition, but you can always return the favour when
they're away. Use timers to turn on lights inside your house at appropriate
times, but try to make it subtle rather than too obvious (i.e. don't put a
bright lamp next to the window). Remember, you're trying to make it look like
someone's in, not highlighting there's nobody there. Hide away any small items
of special value such as jewellery or important documents, don't just leave
them lying around. It won't stop a determined thief looking for something
specific, but may be missed by a casual thief in a hurry. Consider buying a
safe if you have items of high value. If you are leaving a car at home then
consider leaving it in the driveway rather than in the garage. Of course this
depends on how valuable your car is and how you feel about leaving it outside.
The benefit is that it's less obvious your house in unoccupied, but the
downside is your car is more at risk. Another option is to ask a neighbour with
two cars if they are willing to park one of theirs in your driveway.
Before leaving remember to
check all around your house to make sure everything is turned off and all doors
and windows are locked. Arm your alarm if you have one, and make sure a
neighbour has appropriate contact details in case there are any problems.
When leaving your vehicle (for
no matter how long) always remove any valuable items such as satellite
navigation systems or removable hi-fi equipment. Hide away anything that a
potential thief may think could be worth stealing, even if you know it isn't.
For example, even if you know your old jacket or sports bag on the back seat
isn't worth anything, a thief may break your window to steal it thinking that
it is, or hoping it might contain a wallet or mobile phone. Never leave
wallets, handbags and other such valuables in the car, even hidden away. Be
aware of anyone loitering nearby as you leave your car, especially if you are
hiding stuff away in the boot. Even when leaving your vehicle briefly (e.g. to
pay for fuel at a petrol station or post a letter) make sure you turn off,
remove the key and lock the vehicle. Opportunist thieves can take advantage of
just such a momentary lapse of security to make off with your vehicle or
belongings before you even realise what's happening. If you are leaving
passengers in the car then you may not wish to lock them in, but at least turn
off and remove the key. There have been cases of cars stolen from garage
forecourts complete with children in the back!
Thieves don't always have to
break in to get into your house. Sometimes they can just knock and be invited
in. Most people who call at your home will be genuine, but sometimes people can
turn up at your door unannounced with the intention of tricking you into
letting them into your home, or conning you into giving them money or personal
details. Always be wary of anyone you don't know who calls at your door, no
matter how honest and genuine they may appear.
The tricks
A bogus caller may attempt to
trick their way into your home to steal valuables, cash or car keys. They can
be very convincing and persuasive, using one of many different excuses to gain
entry. Examples of such excuses include:
- to read your meter
- to check for gas leaks or perform some other safety inspection
- to give you security advice
- to use your toilet or wash their hands
- to make a phone call or get urgent help because of an accident
- to look for a lost pet
They may be smartly dressed or
wearing a convincing looking uniform, and have a convincing looking ID badge or
card. They may talk you into going to get something (e.g. pretending they need
to check your utility bill) so they can steal from your hallway while you leave
them alone at the door. Sometimes they work with an accomplice who tries to
enter by a back door or window while they distract you at the front door.
Callers may also be trying to
sell you sub-standard goods or services, such as building work or repairs,
driveways, tree cutting, etc. They often pressure you into making a decision
there and then, claiming that repairs are needed urgently or that their offer
is for "today only". If you do engage them they may ask for some
payment up front and then never complete the job.
Unfortunately, although most
charity collectors are genuine there are some people who will prey on your
generosity and collect money by pretending to represent a charity. There are in
fact some organisations that are operating completely legally, but only giving
a small percentage of their collections to charity, pocketing the rest as
profit.
It's also possible that a bogus
caller may just be fishing for information, gaining your trust and then
casually asking questions about your holiday plans for example, or trying to
establish how long a neighbour is away. They may pretend to be selling alarms
or security devices, asking about what you have, or "casing the
joint", looking in your hallway to see where you keep your keys and
jackets (potentially containing wallets), etc.
How to
protect yourself
Before answering your door,
always make sure your back door is locked (with the key removed) and windows
closed. If you have a "peep-hole" then look through it first to see
who is there. If you do not know the caller then put on the door chain (if you
have one) before opening the door. Don't remove the chain until you are
satisfied the caller is genuine. Ask to see the caller's identity card, and
examine it carefully (don't just give it a cursory glance). If they don't want
to let you examine it properly then don't let them in. A genuine caller
will not mind if you take their card and close the door while you examine it.
Unfortunately anyone can easily create a convincing looking ID card these days,
so if you are not sure then call their organisation to check if they are
genuine. However, don't just call the number shown on the card (it may
just be an accomplice's number). Look up the company in the phone book. Don't
assume whatever the caller tells you is true. This may
seem like stating the obvious, but a skilled con artist can often convince even
the most wary people to believe their story with some appropriate patter. If
they say your house requires urgent repairs then get an independent
professional opinion rather than taking their word for it. Don't give away any
information the caller does not need to know, such as your phone number,
personal details or holiday plans. Again, this may seem obvious, but it's easy
to be caught off guard once they've gained your trust with some friendly
conversation and they ask you a seemingly innocent and casual question. If you
are uncomfortable about questions they are asking then just tell them you need
to go, and close the door. Don't keep large amounts of cash in your home. Don't
leave wallets, keys and other valuables near the door or where they can be seen
from the door when you open it.
When out and about at night, avoid walking through unlit or secluded
areas if possible. Try to keep to the roads rather than isolated paths. If you
feel uncomfortable about a stranger or group of youths ahead then cross to the
other side of the road before you reach them. Don't engage with them and avoid
eye contact. If you are threatened or intimidated then try first to ignore them
and move away. If you are attacked then try to make as much noise as possible (e.g.
shout or scream) or carry a personal attack alarm (these often have very loud
sirens) to draw attention and try to get away.
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The new Neighbourhood Watch window and wheelie bin stickers with the Scottish Thistle Logo is now available
If you are starting a scheme or if your scheme has never had window stickers, ask your community Police officer
who should be able to supply you. Street signs are also available; these two items are currently free A small stock
has been made available across Dumfries & Galloway.
Wheelie bin stickers (A5 size) are available from the Watch Administrator at 50p each
If you have any problems contact the Watch Administrator e-mail dgnhw@annanview.fsnet.co.uk or call 01387 810588