Keep Your Home Secure

HOUSEHOLDERS in Carmarthenshire are being urged to help police to continue to beat the burglars – by making their homes more secure over Christmas and the New Year.

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.

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.

“We would urge people to take common sense precautions. Don’t display your Christmas presents where everyone can see them and don’t openly put out packaging and boxes for items such as computers and televisions for collection as it will alert potential burglars to what you have in the house.”

If you are going away over Christmas and the New Year there are simple measures to ensure peace of mind and the security of your home. Almost half of all burglaries happen when a house or flat is empty but the risk can be reduced.

Police community safety officer PC Rob Chapman said: “We want people to take simple precautions before going on holiday so that they can enjoy peace of mind while they’re away.

“It’s a good idea to get help from family members or your neighbours. You could ask them to collect post, park in the drive, open and close curtains, and so on. Anything to make the place look lived in.

“Don’t advertise the fact that you are going away. For instance, don’t stand around with your cases waiting for a taxi. Simply pack your things, pack the car and go.”

He also advised letting a neighbour know when you are on holiday and how to contact you, or someone who can act on your behalf, in an emergency.

Before you go:

• Make sure your home looks occupied. Ideally, ask a trusted neighbour or friend to look after it.
• Don’t leave your curtains closed in the daytime as this shows the house is empty.
• Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights on when it goes dark.
• Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspapers or milk.
• Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers could hear details of your absence from home.
• Uncollected mail is a sign you are away. The Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service will keep your mail for up to two months while you are away.
• Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with other family members or a bank, or lock them in a safe.
• Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination.
• If you normally leave valuable bicycles or other items in the garden shed, consider putting them in the house.
• Don’t forget to lock all external doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set.

If you require free crime prevention advice, please ring 101 and ask for PC Rob Chapman in Ammanford.