Appeal to Carmarthenshire householders on security
Householders in Carmarthenshire are being urged to help police to continue to beat the burglars – by making their homes more secure.
The number of burglaries dropped to 224 across the whole of Carmarthenshire last year and householders are being asked to play their part in ensuring that the fall continues.
The Community Safety Partnership’s Acquisitive Crime Action Group, which has representatives from the police, fire and rescue service and Carmarthenshire County Council, has discussed what householders can do to make their homes a harder target for burglars.
Burglaries fell by 17 per cent in 2011/12, 224 crimes compared to 270 in 2010/11. That means 46 fewer victims. So far this year, there’s been a further reduction of 23 per cent compared to April-June last year with 13 fewer burglaries.
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for community safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We want to help people to make their homes more secure and to build on the success over the last couple of years in reducing the number of burglaries.”
General tips on home security include:
• Fit mortise locks (Kitemarked BS 3621) or bolts to all outside doors, and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible windows.
• Have an approved alarm system installed – ask your local police and insurance company for advice.
• Don’t leave valuables, such as your television, laptop or DVD player, where people can see them through windows.
• Ideally you should keep photographic records of all your valuable items and keep it in a safe place.
• Make sure that you have up-to-date household insurance.
• Consider fitting a letterbox cage or outer restrictor, which prevents thieves from putting their hands through and trying the latches from the inside.
• Most burglars get in through a back door or window. Make it difficult for them by locking all side or back gates and adding trellis to the top of walls and fences. Fit lights that come on at night to cover the sides and back of your house.
• Put all your tools away so they cannot be used to break into your house and lock your garage and shed with proper security locks. If you have to leave a ladder out, put it on its side and lock it to a secure fixture with a ‘close shackle’ padlock or heavy-duty chain.
Further information on preventing burglary and other crimes can be found at www.crimereduction.org.ukwww.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.securedbydesign.com
The number of burglaries dropped to 224 across the whole of Carmarthenshire last year and householders are being asked to play their part in ensuring that the fall continues.
The Community Safety Partnership’s Acquisitive Crime Action Group, which has representatives from the police, fire and rescue service and Carmarthenshire County Council, has discussed what householders can do to make their homes a harder target for burglars.
Burglaries fell by 17 per cent in 2011/12, 224 crimes compared to 270 in 2010/11. That means 46 fewer victims. So far this year, there’s been a further reduction of 23 per cent compared to April-June last year with 13 fewer burglaries.
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for community safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We want to help people to make their homes more secure and to build on the success over the last couple of years in reducing the number of burglaries.”
General tips on home security include:
• Fit mortise locks (Kitemarked BS 3621) or bolts to all outside doors, and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible windows.
• Have an approved alarm system installed – ask your local police and insurance company for advice.
• Don’t leave valuables, such as your television, laptop or DVD player, where people can see them through windows.
• Ideally you should keep photographic records of all your valuable items and keep it in a safe place.
• Make sure that you have up-to-date household insurance.
• Consider fitting a letterbox cage or outer restrictor, which prevents thieves from putting their hands through and trying the latches from the inside.
• Most burglars get in through a back door or window. Make it difficult for them by locking all side or back gates and adding trellis to the top of walls and fences. Fit lights that come on at night to cover the sides and back of your house.
• Put all your tools away so they cannot be used to break into your house and lock your garage and shed with proper security locks. If you have to leave a ladder out, put it on its side and lock it to a secure fixture with a ‘close shackle’ padlock or heavy-duty chain.
Further information on preventing burglary and other crimes can be found at www.crimereduction.org.ukwww.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.securedbydesign.com
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