AS THE dark nights draw in, Greater Manchester Police are encouraging the public to take simple safety measures to keep their homes safe.
Opportunist thieves tend to target houses that look unoccupied and take advantage of the tell-tale signs that no one is home.
So, just ahead of clocks turning back on Sunday, October 26, police officers have issues some simple security measures to help residents keep their homes safe and out of a burglar’s spotlight.
- Timers can be set to switch lights on when it goes dark and are especially useful if the house is unoccupied. They can also be used to turn on other electrical devices including radios and set alarms when leaving the house.
- People are reminded to always lock doors and windows when they are at home and not to leave open windows and doors unattended. Valuables should be kept out of sight from windows and it is useful to photograph jewellery and other expensive items. They can then be registered for free on immobolise.com, a database that allows police to trace property back to its original owner if it’s stolen.
- Homeowners should consider investing in a safe which can be placed in a secure part of the home and bolted to the floor so it cannot be easily removed.
- Never leave spare keys hidden outside as burglars often know all of the usual hiding places. Wheelie bins can also be used as a climbing aid for burglars so try to secure them away from windows when they’re not in use.
- An effective way to reduce burglary is to work with neighbours by setting up a Home Watch scheme. To find out more contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, details can be found at www.gmp.police.uk
To report any suspicious behaviour in your area please dial 101, always call 999 in an emergency. You can also report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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