Seasonal Community Safety Advice
British Summer Time
As British summertime draws to a close, police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are issuing crime prevention advice to help residents keep their properties secure during winter.
Turning the clocks back by one hour on Sunday, October 29, means that in many cases, homes will be in darkness before residents get home from school, college or work.
By following some simple advice, residents can make their home less attractive to burglars and avoid the distress and disturbance that burglary can cause:
- Invest in timer switches to turn lamps and radios on and off at certain times, to make your home appear occupied (keep bills down by using energy saving lightbulbs).
- Secure your home by locking all doors and windows when you go out.
- Leave lights on in rooms that would normally be occupied, e.g. the lounge. Avoid leaving a hall light on and all other rooms in darkness as this makes it clear there is nobody home.
Laura Rich, one of Hampshire Constabulary's Crime Prevention Officers, said:
"We are not trying to scare people into thinking that the arrival of winter means they will be burgled. The fact is that burglary remains a rare occurrence in Hampshire, and we want it to stay that way. Many criminals are opportunist - take a few simple steps to make your home less of a target and don't make your absence easy to spot."
Information from www.hampshire.police.uk
