The local Neighbourhood Policing Inspector at Crewe, Inspector Andy Smith, has asked us to highlight the seasonal issue of sneak in burglaries and thefts as widely as possible amongst the local community due to the time of year.
Historically, lighter nights and warmer weather often leads to an increase in sneak in burglaries or thefts in various ways.
In light of the Easter break, when many of us will hopefully be enjoying some time off with our families and friends, please remind members to be mindful of their security both in their homes and when out and about. Although this can be a well publicised issue, we still have instances of people being victims of this type of crime so it is important to remind as many people as possible about this issue.
1.) Ensure that doors and windows are locked and secured at night. With many of us having windows open during the day and our doors unlocked it can be easy to retire to bed and overlook an open window (such as a downstairs bathroom etc) or unlocked door.
2.) With the warmer weather many of us will be accessing sheds and outbuildings more frequently to gain access to tools, gardening equipment and sports equipment. Again, ensure that these are properly secured overnight.
In relation to the above two points, it is worthwhile to get into the habit of doing a quick walks around your house and outbuildings just prior to going to bed. Take a couple of minutes to double check that sheds, garages, all windows and doors are secure on a nightly basis.
3.) If you leave your property for a short period during the day allow the same level of security as you would do overnight. Many people are unaware that more burglaries occur during daylight hours than overnight Therefore, don't be tempted to leave a window open 'as you are just nipping out for 10 minutes' or leave tools and equipment in the garden. Such equipment could be used to gain access to your property or a neighbour's property or may be taken by an opportunist thief.
4.) If you are preoccupied outside or upstairs ensure that you close any downstairs windows and secure the doors. It only takes a matter of seconds for an opportunist thief to walk in and take a purse, wallet, handbag or mobile phone. Most of us are creatures of habit and tend to take off these items when we come through the door, hanging bags over a banister or popping wallets , phones and keys down on a table so they are often conveniently located near to the main access points of your property meaning these items are easily accessible. Sneak in burglaries often occur during daylight hours so it is important to be mindful of these even when you are at home.
5.) Whilst out and about in your vehicle, don't be tempted to leave car windows down whilst you nip in a shop or petrol station and ensure that any valuables are put out of sight every time you leave your vehicle - even if only briefly. Many of us are conscious that a thief may take a sat nav, cd player, phone, purse etc but it is worth remembering that they can take items that may seem less appealing to us such as sunglasses, coats and clothing, a rucksack, loose change and other such items. To be ultra safe try and leave nothing on show in your vehicle when it is unoccupied.
If anyone would like any specific information in relation to sneak in burglaries, home security, vehicle security or garden security for their members please let me know what type of advice you would like from these options and in what quantity and I will send it out to you for your schemes.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Please be aware of a distraction burglary that happened in the Wistaston Road area of Willaston at approx 14:30 on 14/04/2011:
An unknown male approaches property, knocks on the door and tells elderly occupant that he is from the Water Board and needs to check the pipes in the property. The offender is let into the property and takes the resident into a ground floor bathroom at rear of property. The resident is asked to turn the cold tap on and keep their hand under it while it runs. During this time a second offender enters the property via the front door and steals cash from a drawer in the living room. Offenders make off on foot down road, unknown if transport used.
The first male is described as being white male, in his 30's, stocky build wearing a light coloured shirt, dark trousers. Male didn't have a local accent but unconfirmed what area accent was from. Described as being smartly dressed and charming in manner.
The second male was only seen from behind as he walked away and is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket and dark trousers.
Please make members aware of this incident and ask that an eye is kept on any vulnerable members in your scheme. The Water Board cover is one of the most commonly used ways of gaining entry into homes as often older people, who remember the Water Board as an organisation are targeted. Please remind members that there is no longer such an organisation and the current water companies would rarely need to knock on people's doors for the purpose of checking out things within a property. The majority of water, gas and electric companies do have a password system in place that they are keen for customers to sign up to in order to protect them from bogus callers. This allows residents to agree a predetermined password that any genuine caller from such a company would have to hand when they approached you property or could certainly obtain if required. You should be able to obtain details of this scheme from the customer services department of the relevant company.
If anyone receives a similar call at their door, has noticed any suspicious or out or the ordinary behaviour in their area or have information that might be relevant to this particular incident please contact the police asap via 0845 458 0000. If anyone has any anonymous information that they wish to submit call Cheshire Crime Stoppers via 0800 555 111.
An unknown male approaches property, knocks on the door and tells elderly occupant that he is from the Water Board and needs to check the pipes in the property. The offender is let into the property and takes the resident into a ground floor bathroom at rear of property. The resident is asked to turn the cold tap on and keep their hand under it while it runs. During this time a second offender enters the property via the front door and steals cash from a drawer in the living room. Offenders make off on foot down road, unknown if transport used.
The first male is described as being white male, in his 30's, stocky build wearing a light coloured shirt, dark trousers. Male didn't have a local accent but unconfirmed what area accent was from. Described as being smartly dressed and charming in manner.
The second male was only seen from behind as he walked away and is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket and dark trousers.
Please make members aware of this incident and ask that an eye is kept on any vulnerable members in your scheme. The Water Board cover is one of the most commonly used ways of gaining entry into homes as often older people, who remember the Water Board as an organisation are targeted. Please remind members that there is no longer such an organisation and the current water companies would rarely need to knock on people's doors for the purpose of checking out things within a property. The majority of water, gas and electric companies do have a password system in place that they are keen for customers to sign up to in order to protect them from bogus callers. This allows residents to agree a predetermined password that any genuine caller from such a company would have to hand when they approached you property or could certainly obtain if required. You should be able to obtain details of this scheme from the customer services department of the relevant company.
If anyone receives a similar call at their door, has noticed any suspicious or out or the ordinary behaviour in their area or have information that might be relevant to this particular incident please contact the police asap via 0845 458 0000. If anyone has any anonymous information that they wish to submit call Cheshire Crime Stoppers via 0800 555 111.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Bt telephine Scam
Some of you may remember a BT Scam that has circulated in the past which you have received information about via home watch previously.
I have had a couple of people email me recently to make enquiries, having received warning emails about this issue from friends, family or other sources. As such, it seems that this email is circulating again and although we have not had reports falling victim of this scam in Cheshire, understandably the email about the scam causes concern for those who open it. As such, it seems an opportune time to make people aware that this is circulating again and to reiterate a general message to members to be cautious when interacting with anyone via the telephone, particularly people trying to obtain financial details from you however realistic they may appear.
I have attached a link that offers a round up of the scam in question that initially began circulating a couple of years ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8263637.stm
I have had a couple of people email me recently to make enquiries, having received warning emails about this issue from friends, family or other sources. As such, it seems that this email is circulating again and although we have not had reports falling victim of this scam in Cheshire, understandably the email about the scam causes concern for those who open it. As such, it seems an opportune time to make people aware that this is circulating again and to reiterate a general message to members to be cautious when interacting with anyone via the telephone, particularly people trying to obtain financial details from you however realistic they may appear.
I have attached a link that offers a round up of the scam in question that initially began circulating a couple of years ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8263637.stm
Friday, April 8, 2011
Smart water Property marking
Some members may be aware of Smart Water which is one of various property marking systems available that can be used in your homes and on other property. It is more advanced than things such as UV pens as each solution is unique to a single property, is very effective and difficult to remove from items and is a deterrent to would be offenders who are wary of these more advanced property marking solutions.
Smart Water have made us aware that they are currently doing a special rate for Home Watch members. If a scheme has 10 interested members they can get kits for £15 + VAT per kit (instead of the usual fee of £60). I have attached a link to the Smart Water web page for any schemes that might be interested in clubbing together to participate in this offer. This offers comprehensive information about what Smart Water is and further details about how it works.
http://www.smartwater.com/Home.aspx
If anyone is keen to participate in this offer please let me know and I can pass your details on to the regional representative for Smart Water to follow up with you in relation to this offer.
Please note that I must stress that there are also other similar property marking systems available for purchase if anyone wanted to investigate other options available to them.
Smart Water have made us aware that they are currently doing a special rate for Home Watch members. If a scheme has 10 interested members they can get kits for £15 + VAT per kit (instead of the usual fee of £60). I have attached a link to the Smart Water web page for any schemes that might be interested in clubbing together to participate in this offer. This offers comprehensive information about what Smart Water is and further details about how it works.
http://www.smartwater.com/Home.aspx
If anyone is keen to participate in this offer please let me know and I can pass your details on to the regional representative for Smart Water to follow up with you in relation to this offer.
Please note that I must stress that there are also other similar property marking systems available for purchase if anyone wanted to investigate other options available to them.
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