Stay secure over the Easter holidays

Don’t forget to be security conscious this Easter!

Last year Police across the UK urged members of the public to be more security conscious during the Easter break. This year we are doing the same by providing home security tips to staying secure whilst you enjoy the holidays.

Whilst enjoying any holiday period whether it be Easter, Summer or Christmas, the last thing on your mind will probably be the security of your home. However whatever time of year it is, it is still important to make sure your home security doesn’t lapse during these periods.

Don’t let a burglary ruin your Easter...

Many of us will be travelling or going on holiday during the Easter period which is why it can often be a prime time for a burglar to strike! Not all burglaries are opportunistic some are pre-planned where an intruder will watch your house so they know your daily patterns i.e. when you leave your house.

Don’t forget to lock up before you hop off 

If you are going away during the Easter break don’t forget to do the following:

• Lock your doors and windows! Whether you are popping out just for the day or going away for a week it is really important to lock all of your doors and windows as the majority of home insurance providers will not pay out for a claim where entry was made through an unlocked door or window.

• If you are going on holiday for a long period of time ask a trusted neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your house.

• Ask the Royal Mail to hold any post during your holiday. Through the Royal Mail’s Keepsafe™ scheme your post and parcels can be held for up to 66 days. This will help to prevent post from piling up and alerting an intruder that your home is unoccupied.

• Make your home appear occupied. Leave all blinds or curtains open and leave a light on (if possible) so it appears your home isn’t unoccupied.  If you can’t leave a light on it may be worth investing in a light with a timer, these can be purchased online.

• Don’t share your holiday plans on any form of Social Media. Posting your plans could advertise that your home is unoccupied.

• Lock your garage or shed. 

Don’t forget to be security conscious this Easter!

Police Stations across the UK are urging members of the public to be more security conscious during the Easter break.

With many of us travelling or going on holiday during Easter it is important not to let the security of your home lapse as some intruders will watch a home and take action when the best opportunity should arise.

Don’t let a burglary ruin your Easter!

Detective Inspector Andrew Dilworth, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “If you’re going away for Easter, or even if you’re just going out for the day, please leave your property secure. Also, don’t leave valuable items like jewellery or cash on display in your home. Seeing valuables such as this is all it would take to tempt a burglar.

The Inspector continued: “As the nicer weather arrives, I would like to remind residents to make sure they lock all their windows and doors when they leave – even if it is just for a few hours. It doesn’t take long for an opportunist burglar to strike. It is also a good time for people to check their sheds and garages are properly secure.”

Source: Dorset police

If you see anything suspicious in your local area please contact your local Police Station.
For more information on contacting your local Police Station please visit Police.UK.  

Are you aware of the crime levels in your local area?

Visit the ‘How Safe is Your Neighbourhood’ widget to see what levels of crime have occurred in your local area www.keytek.co.uk/crime-stats/national/. Simply visit the URL, input your Postcode or Town into the dedicated field and click ‘Find’, which will then take you to a map hosted by Police.UK (www.police.uk) that highlights specific areas where various levels of crime have taken place, from anti-social behaviour through to burglary.

As part of our ongoing security initiatives we have put together the following list of security advice and tips...

• Try storing bins and ladders away from the property as these might be used to access 1st floor windows.

• Never leave any valuables where they can be seen by a burglar i.e. in view of a window!  

• Don’t discuss any holiday plans on any types of open forums i.e. Facebook or Twitter. Posting details of when you will be away from your property will let any of your followers know that your home is potentially vulnerable.

• Keep out any unwanted guests – it is always a good idea to have a spy hole or door chain fitted as additional security.

• It can be a good idea to leave a light on or on a timer, especially during the darker evenings and if you are spending a night or week away from your home! Leaving a television or radio on is also a good alternative to leaving the lights on. Security products such as a light with a timer can be purchased in most DIY stores and online. 

• If you are going to be away for a long period of time ask the Royal Mail to hold your mail with their ‘Keepsafe™’ service - they will do this for up to 2 months. It is recommended to ask the Royal Mail to hold your letters as this avoids a pile up of post inside the front door which could be an invitation for an intruder as they will be able to see you’re away.  

• Store all sets of keys away from the front door! Whatever time of year it is, it’s always a good idea to have a key hook fitted internally away from the front door. Having a key safe fitted externally to your property may be a preferred option. 

• A letterbox cage/guard is recommended as intruders may use the letterbox to retrieve keys stored inside the house; this type of theft is referred to as ‘Key Fishing’. 

• Lights with sensors in the garden and front of your property will help to deter an intruder as they tend to be more confident when working in the dark. 

• Use a UV pen to mark any valuables, so if the worse was to happen it may help to make recovery easier.

• Check the locks on any gates or sheds and upgrade/replace if necessary. Make sure anything that can be used by an intruder to gain entry to your property, i.e. garden tools, are safely locked away.

• When leaving the property always remember to lock any doors and windows. The majority of intruders will use an unlocked door or window to gain entry to a house.

More security advice and tips can be found on a dedicated page www.keytek.co.uk/security-tips/