IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Following the recent dwelling burglaries where jewellery and cash have been stolen from some of our South Asian communities I recommend the following crime reduction advice.
Firstly I would like to emphasise the importance of you contacting the Police if you see any suspicious activity in your area. Please use 999 if you need to. We take this recent spate of crimes very seriously and will respond with appropriate vigilance.
Top tips to keep your property safe
Please don’t keep large quantities of cash in your homes. Store it in the bank, building society or post office.
Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you are out of the house and that if you have an alarm that it is activated.
Good quality locks and alarm systems can be purchased cheaply from larger hardware retail outlets.
You may also wish to consider installing CCTV cameras which are also now reasonably affordable.
Buy a good quality safe
Jewellery should to be stored securely. Unfortunately, it would appear that banks no longer provide a safety deposit box service. I recommend that if keeping the jewellery at home it is placed in a suitable safe. Various grades of safe are available according to the value, size and quantity of items being stored within them.. These qualities are obviously reflected by the price of the unit although a good quality safe can be purchased for around £100,
Safes should be supplied and fitted by a company approved by the Master Locksmiths Association. Any safe used should be “Sold Secure” tested and approved, you can check the details on http://www.soldsecure.com/.
Photograph your valuables
Take photographs of your valuables as these greatly improve the chances of recovery, should the worse case scenario occur. Take a variety of shots of each object. Remember do not be concerned with taking the object from its most photographic angle, instead concentrate on what makes this object unique or identifiable. Indicate the objects size and dimensions by placing a ruler next to small items or write down the measurements. Try to use a plain background, white or grey are best, avoid patterned wallpaper or carpet.
Having taken photographs also write a short description of each of your valuables. It is much easier to do this now, rather than trying to remember an object when it is stolen. Note the type of object, the material it is made from, measurements, inscriptions and markings and distinguishing features. Please ensure that these photographs are also stored securely.
Property marking
I suggest that all household valuables be marked with a commercial forensic property marking system, these have well proven track records in deterring theft. Such systems make property less valuable or even worthless to a thief. The forensic property marking system protects valuables by linking criminals to the crime scene and property to its rightful owner.
Household valuables are marked with a colourless solution that is invisible to the naked eye, doesn’t wash off and glows under UV light, making it easy for police to identify stolen property and detect thieves. The solution does not damage the marked items.
Police routinely scan criminals and suspected stolen property for traces of the solution, so criminals know about it and fear its power to link them to the scene of a crime.
You should widely advertise around the building the fact that your property is all marked by using appropriate signage/stickers provided with the property marking kit you purchase.
Register your property
I would recommend that any valuables which have serial numbers such as laptops or mobile phones are registered for free at http://www.immobilise.com/. Thousands of items of property are lost or stolen each year in the UK. The Immobilise National Property Register already holds the details of 20 million items of property. Once you have registered you will have a better chance of getting your property back if it’s stolen or lost. If any item of registered property is lost or stolen report it to Immobilise via your online account. This information is then made available nationally to all major UK Police forces via our online systems. If your registered property is recovered either the Police or Immobilise will contact you and let you know its location.
Don’t advertise to thieves
Finally, please be aware of advertising the fact that your house is empty e.g. posting messages on Facebook regarding dates and times of family weddings.
Firstly I would like to emphasise the importance of you contacting the Police if you see any suspicious activity in your area. Please use 999 if you need to. We take this recent spate of crimes very seriously and will respond with appropriate vigilance.
Top tips to keep your property safe
Please don’t keep large quantities of cash in your homes. Store it in the bank, building society or post office.
Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you are out of the house and that if you have an alarm that it is activated.
Good quality locks and alarm systems can be purchased cheaply from larger hardware retail outlets.
You may also wish to consider installing CCTV cameras which are also now reasonably affordable.
Buy a good quality safe
Jewellery should to be stored securely. Unfortunately, it would appear that banks no longer provide a safety deposit box service. I recommend that if keeping the jewellery at home it is placed in a suitable safe. Various grades of safe are available according to the value, size and quantity of items being stored within them.. These qualities are obviously reflected by the price of the unit although a good quality safe can be purchased for around £100,
Safes should be supplied and fitted by a company approved by the Master Locksmiths Association. Any safe used should be “Sold Secure” tested and approved, you can check the details on http://www.soldsecure.com/.
Photograph your valuables
Take photographs of your valuables as these greatly improve the chances of recovery, should the worse case scenario occur. Take a variety of shots of each object. Remember do not be concerned with taking the object from its most photographic angle, instead concentrate on what makes this object unique or identifiable. Indicate the objects size and dimensions by placing a ruler next to small items or write down the measurements. Try to use a plain background, white or grey are best, avoid patterned wallpaper or carpet.
Having taken photographs also write a short description of each of your valuables. It is much easier to do this now, rather than trying to remember an object when it is stolen. Note the type of object, the material it is made from, measurements, inscriptions and markings and distinguishing features. Please ensure that these photographs are also stored securely.
Property marking
I suggest that all household valuables be marked with a commercial forensic property marking system, these have well proven track records in deterring theft. Such systems make property less valuable or even worthless to a thief. The forensic property marking system protects valuables by linking criminals to the crime scene and property to its rightful owner.
Household valuables are marked with a colourless solution that is invisible to the naked eye, doesn’t wash off and glows under UV light, making it easy for police to identify stolen property and detect thieves. The solution does not damage the marked items.
Police routinely scan criminals and suspected stolen property for traces of the solution, so criminals know about it and fear its power to link them to the scene of a crime.
You should widely advertise around the building the fact that your property is all marked by using appropriate signage/stickers provided with the property marking kit you purchase.
Register your property
I would recommend that any valuables which have serial numbers such as laptops or mobile phones are registered for free at http://www.immobilise.com/. Thousands of items of property are lost or stolen each year in the UK. The Immobilise National Property Register already holds the details of 20 million items of property. Once you have registered you will have a better chance of getting your property back if it’s stolen or lost. If any item of registered property is lost or stolen report it to Immobilise via your online account. This information is then made available nationally to all major UK Police forces via our online systems. If your registered property is recovered either the Police or Immobilise will contact you and let you know its location.
Don’t advertise to thieves
Finally, please be aware of advertising the fact that your house is empty e.g. posting messages on Facebook regarding dates and times of family weddings.
For more information please email mark.audley-thewles@avonandsomerset.pnn.police
PC Mark Audley-Thewles
Crime Prevention Officer
Crime Prevention Officer
Avon and Somerset Constabulary
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