If you live in Havant or Waterlooville we’d like to remind you to secure your home properly after 42 reports of burglary were received in the last month Data shows that the burglaries all took place between September 20 and October 19. The majority took place in the Barncroft & Bedhampton area (15), with other reports being received in Havant and Emsworth (10), Waterlooville South (9), Waterlooville North (5), and on Hayling Island (3). Around 40% of the total number of burglaries took place on a Friday.
Investigations are ongoing to see if any of the reports are linked. However it appears that some of the homes may have been insecure and jewellery, rather than larger items have been taken on a number of occasions. For example one report related to a house on Eastern Road in Havant on Saturday, September 26. At some point between 7pm and 11pm jewellery was taken from inside the property, larger items such as electronics were left untouched. There were no signs of forced entry and it’s thought a window or door at the rear of the house could have been insecure. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind residents of the following crime prevention advice:
- Shut all windows and lock them when you are not using the room, at night and when you leave your property.
- Lock all front and rear doors at night and when you are out. If you have a UPVC door with a multi-point lock ensure you lift the handle and lock it with the key
- Put all car keys and other keys out of sight and not in reach of windows and letterboxes. It doesn’t take much for the keys to be hooked through the letterbox.
- Leave a light on so your home looks occupied if you are going out for the evening. If you head out while it is still daylight and won’t be back until after dark, then timer switches (available from most DIY stores) can be useful in turning your lights, radios and other appliances on at a set time before you get back.
- Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property.
- Do not leave ladders and garden tools in your garden; lock them away in your shed.
- Have an intruder alarm system installed by an approved contractor. Ensure a visible alarm box is attached to the outside of your home. Also consider fitting security lighting.
- Use door chains and spyholes to give you extra security if someone knocks on your door. Never be afraid to turn people away. If you have concerns about anyone who has come to your door call the police.
For more crime prevention advice you can also join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme by visiting http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/crime-prevention/neighbourhood-watch As the clocks have just gone back it’s important to remember that in the winter the lack of lights on in a house during the darker evenings can indicate that no one is home – attracting an opportunist burglar to look further for insecurities to enter the property. Leaving a light on while you are out and shutting the curtains helps to make a home look occupied. Timer switches can be used to turn lights on in dark evenings before you return from work.