Police Advice on Home Security

Published: 14 September 2018

This comes from Thames Valley Police: Home security advice:

Burglaries are still being reported in our area. There are simple crime prevention tips to keep your property safe:

• Lock all front and rear doors and windows at night and when you are out.
• Keep all valuables and keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach of windows and letterboxes. Double check your vehicle is locked too.
• Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of your property. Move bins away from side walls and fences.
• Keep ladders and tools stored away. Don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.

Are you going on holiday?

• Please do not advertise that you are going away on social media – wait until you get home to upload your holiday snaps!
• Check that your home insurance policy, as some may pay out less or not at all, if you have posted that you are away on social media.
• Use a timer switch to make your house look occupied, even when it isn’t.
• Ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your house while you are away.
• Don’t leave spare keys in obvious places such as under doormats and plant pots.