The police force that serves the East Riding has issued advice for residents this Christmas.
Help keep your home and property safe by taking some basic crime prevention advice:
- Make sure you lock your doors and windows – even when you are in. More than a third of all burglaries take place through unlocked or open doors and windows.
- Don’t leave anything on show – we all love to see presents under the tree, but this is a wonderful sight for any passing criminal too.
- Don’t advertise what you have bought as gifts or received on social media – sharing that you have a new bike on social media can lead to people targeting your home or garage to steal it.
- Do not ever keep large amounts of cash in your home. If you are thinking of gifting money, think about sending it electronically.
- Keys should always be kept out of sight and not left in doors or in view of windows.
- If you have bought a new bike – register it online with the Bike Register or Immobilise. Make sure it’s locked securely in a locked garage and don’t leave it unlocked when you go out.
- Using electricity to keep a light on might be something you are reluctant to do but making your home looked lived-in while you are out does act as a deterrent. An energy efficient bulb in a hall light would use a tiny amount of energy and help protect your home.
- Don’t open the door to anybody you don’t recognise. Not sure? Don’t open the door!
Most burglaries are not pre-planned, they’re committed by opportunist thieves who spot an open door, window, or valuables on display.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Vickers said:
“We are doing everything we can to bring burglars and offenders to justice.
“However, I urge residents to also play their part and make an effort to protect their own property to prevent the crime from ever happening.”
DID YOU KNOW?
A thief can get through any gap larger than a human head, therefore please follow some simple but effective advice provided by the police officers who deal with the after-effects of a burglary:
HOW DO BURGLARS GET IN?
- In 33% of burglaries, they don’t even have to use force – they get in through an open window or unlocked door.
- 70% enter through a door, with almost all the rest through a window.
- A thief can get through any gap larger than a human head.
WHAT DO I DO IF I’M BURGLED?
- Call the police immediately. If you think the burglar(s) may be still inside your property ring 999, don’t go in but make the call on a mobile or from a neighbour’s home. The police will make a much more rapid response if the perpetrators are still on the property.
- Ask the police if they want you to start making a list of missing items. BUT: resist the urge to tidy up any mess until after the police have been and have carried out their work.
- The police will take details of the crime and issue you with a crime number. You will need this number to track the progress of the investigation and make a claim on your home insurance.
- If any credit or debit cards or cheque books have been stolen contact the issuer to cancel them as soon as possible (most have 24-hour services). Check to see if important documents such as your passport or driving licence have been stolen and inform the relevant authorities.
- If you have think you know who did it, but would prefer to pass information on anonymously, you can do so via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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