In the current economic climate it saddens me to say property crime is a hot topic.  Many crime analysts are predicting a rise in street robberies, theft from motor vehicle and dwelling burglaries as a means for criminals to make some quick cash.  The objects they desire tend to be small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, iPod’s, laptop computers, satellite navigation systems and some audio visual equipment such as DVD players etc…

These items are relatively easy to sell on for cash with typical values as £40 for a working sat nav or mobile phone.  There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from a being a victim of crime.

Be aware of your surroundings.  Using your brand new all singing and dancing mobile that’s lights up like a Christmas tree in a crowded pub is going to draw attention to yourself.  Be discreet, consider using the vibrate function rather than a loud ring tone.  People will be unaware of where your phone is as they will not hear it ring.  If you do need to use your phone try to use in an area where people can not monitor what phone it is, where you are keeping it etc…  When paying for items try not to flash your cash around, and do not draw attention to where you keep your money.  If paying by card always remember to hide your pin and hide the card number from prying eyes.

Store items out of sight.  It may be common sense but do not leave items in view particularly in your vehicle.  Also be aware when exiting your vehicle people may be watching and may see you placing your laptop in the boot.  If you use a satellite navigation system be aware criminals will look for suction marks on the windscreen for evidence of a satellite navigation system.  These can be removed by using baby wipes.  Or consider investing in satellite navigation system holder that attached to air vents and does not leave suction marks, but remember to remove the holder and satellite navigation system when you leave the vehicle.  Criminals will often target vehicles left for long periods of time such as airport car parks and theme park car parks.  Remove all valuable items as they will break and enter checking glove boxes, under seats and in the boot.  Some people leave glove boxes open to prove no valuable items have been left there.

Don’t give things away.  Most modern satellite navigation system devices have a location for you to store your home address allowing for quick navigation home.  I would encourage you not to enter this information as this gives the criminal the advantage of a possibly unoccupied address to break and enter, especially if they have stolen the satellite navigation system from a car left in the airport car park.  Ask neighbours you trust to keep an eye on your house while you are away.  Cancel the milk and papers.  Set timers on lights.  Ask a friend to park their car in your drive occasionally.

How secure is your home?  When assessing the risk to your home pretend you are a burglar.  Think outside of the box of ways to break into a house.  Are all your windows lockable? Remember to remove the keys from the lock.  Use curtains to distort the view of what you have inside.  Letter boxes can be entry points, consider fitting a box to stop fishing devices (used for key thefts) or small hands reaching in to open doors.

Finally the best advice is make sure you have insurance to cover your home contents, car and car contents, and contents away from home.  Also consider registering your high risk items on UK National Property Register.  This is used by the Police and partner agencies to re-unite stolen property with their owners.

In an emergency always dial 999

An emergency is defined as:

• Someone’s life is in danger;
• Someone is at risk of violence, or property is about to be damaged;
• A serious offence is in progress;
• A suspect is at the scene or an early arrest is likely;
• Serious disruption to the public is likely
• Very serious crime (e.g. Rape, GBH)

If you have information on a crime you can call anonymously CrimeStoppers 0800 555 111