Brympton Neighbourhood Watch
 

Although nationally the yearly rate of house burglaries has reduced we must remember always to be vigilant and consider home security. The travelling thief will continue to be the opportunist and choose his targets on first impressions of the house. Secluded buildings set behind screens of foliage, houses with rear access from fields or quiet lanes and those homes that look unoccupied will interest the thieves most.

Some of us can choose our homes we buy, others are residing where their parents have before them or live where they are placed. Wherever we live we can all consider how we live and the amount of effort we need to take to live securely. Neighbourhood Watch has proved extremely successful in reducing crime, however, for Neighbourhood Watch to work the Neighbourhood Watch must be working.

To help you consider the security of your home I have listed below some points that I believe will assist you in achieving a crime free lifestyle:

• Buy a house in an area that has achieved the Secured by Design award.

• Fit a burglar alarm.

• Join and fully support a Neighbourhood Watch.

• Have good locks fitted to all accessible windows and doors.

• Always have extra locks fitted to patio doors.

• Prevent access to the rear of your property.

• Do not allow foliage to hinder the natural surveillance of your home.

• Try and make the house look occupied when you are out.

• Do not allow milk and papers to be left at your front door during the day.

• Have external lighting fitted that is operated by a dusk to dawn photoelectric switch.

• Report anything suspicious.

• Do not allow anyone to enter your home that you have not fully vetted.

This list is not exhaustive, and not one measure on its own will be sufficient to deter all thieves, you must consider each procedure as a step on the ladder to home security.

Your home is your castle and you have the right to prevent access through legal means. Some thieves like to be invited in, these will use all kinds of excuses to talk their way into your home or distract you away from the door so as to allow their accomplice to gain access. The correct use of the door chain and the confident way you request identification will put most artifice criminals off. If you identify anyone who is suspicious calling on a vulnerable neighbour then it is worth calling around and checking if everything is all right (it is harder to deceive two people than one).

If you are unlucky enough to have a burglary the thieves will want to spend as little time as possible in your home, two and a half minutes is a very long time in a place you have no right to be. An alarm bell ringing will greatly reduce their desire to stay. Do not leave money lying around or put all your jewellery in the same place as these are two products that are most sought after in a search for items to steal. They realise that the old handbag in the back of the wardrobe or the bottom of the linen drawer is a good place to find hidden valuables. Ensure that you have photographic evidence of your precious jewellery, silverware, china and paintings. Where possible mark your property with your postcode, record serial numbers, hallmarks, engravings and makers marks. Being able to identify your property wherever it may surface is of great benefit to the Police as it can form most of the evidence to convict the thief.

Issues such as drugs, social attitudes, responsibilities and community values are for all members of the public to address. If we can look at how we interact in our community, work hard to foster good relations and keep the neighbourhood spirit focused on refusing to let crime and anti-social behaviour ruin this country then we can continue to achieve a reduction in crime.

You hold the key - take responsibility for your home security, keep doors and windows locked, report anything suspicious and do not allow recidivists to take advantage of our serene part of England here in Somerset.