Police officers across Beds, Bucks and Herts are advising people to be aware of burglaries over Christmas
There is generally an increase in burglaries during the festive period
Police officers are advising people across Beds, Bucks and Herts to be mindful of burglaries during this time of year.
There is generally an increase in burglaries during the festive period.
We spoke to Detective Sergeant Adam Butt who is part of the dedicated burglary team for Bedfordshire police. He explains why there is often an increase during this time of year.
"You get an extended period of darkness. People are especially social at Christmas parties and visiting families so properties are left vacant for long periods of time. Burglars are well aware that people are shopping and buying gifts for family and friends so they know there will an increase amount of property available within these houses."
What is the situation like in Bedfordshire?
He also tells us what the situation is like in Bedfordshire: "Overall there has been a dramatic decrease in the amount of burglaries in the last 12 months, so it's a safe county to live in."
He goes on to explain what someone should do if they suspect that have been burgled:
"Instinctively if your house has been broken into you will want to have a look around but try to minimise walking and disturbing any areas. Forensic evidence in burglary cases is really key so the more of that we can preserve the more likely we are to find the people responsible"
General advice to stay safe:
Detective Sergeant has outlined some other pieces of advice to avoid being a victim burglary:
- CCTV ring doorbells are a great and inexpensive way to deter anyone considering a burglary offense. If they're seeing cameras on properties, they're less likely to start targeting those houses.
- If you go out for the evenings or nights, leave lights on within the properties, don't leave it in darkness so it stands out as being vulnerable.
- It's always worth speaking to your neighbours. Let them know if you're planning to be away for a night or two visiting family.
- Be aware of what vehicles are coming into your residential roads. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. We all know who our neighbours and fellow residents are, so if you start to have an increased presence of people you don't recognize, its always worth reporting that.
- Report anything suspicious, however insignificant it may seem, it could be a vital bit of information as part of a wider investigation.
- Keep your doors and windows locked if you are going out.
- If you have been doing any kind of renovations, remove any sort of ladders from gardens. Don't leave things readily available that people can use to gain access to your property. Don't leave tools, hammers, crowbars, or anything that you may have used innocently as part of renovations. Get them locked away.
- Be mindful of your elderly friends and relatives and make them aware of these little hints and tips.
- Keep your car keys out of view and certainly away from the front of the property, as keyless car thefts are on the rise.
- Don't leave keys in the backs of doors so that people can slip hands through letter boxes and easily grab them. Keep any kind of keys away from that doorway area.
- Avoid leaving big signs on the doors for delivery drivers that say please leave parcels at such and such address. It is just another way of highlighting that perhaps the property is vacant during the daytime or whatever time of day, so I'd avoid leaving signs up.