Darker nights turn on some lights
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As the autumn nights draw in the tell-tale signs of the empty house become more apparent. FACT: Most burglars will prefer to target the empty house unseen and avoid any confrontation.
As the days get shorter if you work away from home, or even pop out to get the children from school by the time you return home it may already be dark. A house in darkness says no one is in especially if your neighbour’s houses either side have lights on and show other signs of being occupied. If you back onto open farmland or have parking areas or footpaths to side or rear this may be even more apparent.
Create the “Illusion of Occupancy”, when its dark make your home look like you are in. Leave lights on or put them on timers or daylight sensors to come when it gets dark. Remember though no one lives in the hall or on the landing so if you leave these lights on supplement these with lights on in rooms that you would normally occupy at that time of day i.e. lounge and kitchen. A carefully placed imitation TV or “Fake TV” can further add to that illusion of occupancy by making it look like the television is on. Some burglars may also listen at windows or letterboxes for sign of activity, so consider leaving a radio on within your home.
Don’t forget the outside of your property too, if burglars see that it is lit they are less likely to approach for fear of being seen. Leave lights on, with energy efficient bulbs it costs very little now days and yet may save you lots!
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Tips for a crime free Christmas shop
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The tips for a crime free Christmas shop start before you leave your house, after all you don’t want to come home to find the house broken into.
1. Garden tools securely locked away in the shed – Burglars will be happy to use your tools to break into your house.
2. Create the illusion your home is occupied - Radio and lights on a timer in rooms you would normally occupy, there is even a device called “Fake TV” that flashes a series of lights when it gets dark that looks like the TV is on. There are now door bells that you can view and answer from your Smartphone.
3. Lock up properly not just your windows and doors in the house, but also any gates and outbuildings.
4. Choose a “Park Mark” car park where you can http://www.parkmark.co.uk/ . By choosing a Park Mark® Safer Parking facility you are visiting a car park that has been vetted by the Police and has measures in place in order to create a safer environment for both you and your vehicle.
5. Leave nothing in sight within your car, remove the “Sat Nav” cradle and clean the mark on the windscreen.
6. When you lock your car with the remote look for the light flash confirmation or better still try the door handle before leaving the car.
7. Now you’re starting your shop watch your purse, wallet, mobile phone and handbag especially in busy places, don’t leave them on display in bags or on counters while you pay, and while you’re paying watch that no one is watching you entering your PIN when making purchases or withdrawing cash.
8. Time to stop for lunch or a cuppa, don’t drop your guard. Mobile phone on the table, shopping by the chair, wallet or purse visible, coat, jacket or handbag over the chair; if a thief sees it a thief will steal it.
9. Need to off load some of those purchases in the car, look around are you being watched? Back to (5 & 6) above again.
10. Time go home, don’t fall for any distractions while you load the car i.e. “you dropped some money” pointing to cash on the ground, holding a map “can you tell me the way to….”. While you are engaged the second person steals from your car on the other side. Close and lock your car before speaking to anyone.
Further crime prevention advice see https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/ or ring Essex Police on 101.
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Get Moving Walking Group Sunday 14 October
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meeting at Brighton Road Car Park CO15 5ST
Walk your way to good health this summer! A fun gentle walking group for all ages and abilities. Come along and make new friends from your local community, have fun and get active! Sundays, 11am – 12.30pm
A FREE WAY TO INCREASE YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!
Available on the day mobile 07379 145 536
If you can't join us this time, why not come along to our next walk on 21st October meeting at sea front end of Vista Road, CO15 6AT
We also run walking groups on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - visit the physical activities page for more details.
Meeting points will vary, visit our website or facebook page for details of future walks
https://www.cvstendring.org.uk/hill-projects/physical-activities.html
www.facebook.com/CVSTendring
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