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WATCHFUL
OBSERVER
www.dumfriesandgalwatch.co.uk
Link to Latest
AoSNW Newsletter
April 2012
DOOR STEP CRIME WARNING
Previous years has shown that as the weather
improves the number of incidents of door step crimes also increase. Doorstep
crime is the collective name given to two distinct practices. The first being
bogus officials who attend claiming to be from a utility company and wanting to
check for a fault in your electricity, water or gas supply. They ask you to
attend one room while they look for handbags, wallets or purses in another
room. Another technique they use is to stall you at the front door while their
accomplice enters via the rear of the property and searches your house.
The other example of doorstep crime is when someone
attends your door offering to tar your driveway, repair guttering, replace roof
tiles, power wash you block pavers or similar. Often the work they offer to
carry out is not required and even if it is their work is liable to be sub
standard or they will charge excessive prices. They will often put undue
pressure on you to agree to have the work carried out. In some cases they will
even drive you to the bank and ensure you withdraw money to pay them
In order to tackle this type of crime
Crime reduction officer Constable Clark Logie said. “This is a particularly despicable crime, with
individuals deliberately targeting the more vulnerable members of our society.”
“We are delighted to be working with our colleagues
from Trading Standards in setting up these No Cold Caller Zones.”
Sandra Harkness of the
Council’s Trading Standards, said: “We cannot emphasise enough that home owners
have the right to decide what work should be carried out on their own property.
They should not be persuaded, manipulated or coerced into having a job done by
a stranger who turns up on their doorstep.
“No Cold Calling Zones can make householders more
aware of their rights and give them more confidence to turn people away without
appearing rude.”
Anyone looking for further advice is asked to
contact their local crime reduction officer on 0845 600 5701, or alternatively
Consumer Direct on 084504040506. If reporting a crime please contact police in
the first instance either on 0845 600 5701 or 999 in an emergency.
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