Crime Update From Hampshire Constabulary

Hampshire Constabulary are looking to set up  Neighbourhood Watch schemes in your area, if you can assist or interested in setting up such a scheme in your road/close please make contact with Jo Cole joanna.cole@hampshire.pnn.police.uk .

Keep ground floor or accessible windows shut and locked

Don’t leave doors and patios doors open.

Remember to lock up property before going to bed.

Remember insurance companies often will not pay out if a burglary is a result of insecurity.

If you are taking the opportunity to do some DIY to the house, don’t leave ladders and tools outside, keep them locked up.

Make sure you lock side or rear gates leading to you garden.

Do not do business at the door, often companies who tout at the door for gardening and home improvements turn out to be bogus and checking out your property.

If you are going out for the evening remember to use a timer switch on a lamp or radio/ TV to give the impression someone is home now the nights are drawing in.

Remember to shut car windows and sunroofs even if parked on your drive and keep the car locked at all times.

If you are working in the garden, remember not to leave expensive power tools lying around, even for a couple of minutes.

Scrap metal has a high value. Don’t leave expensive gardening equipment out side unattended, check security of sheds, garages and outbuildings.

Hampshire Constabulary are still getting reports of theft from vehicles in beauty spot car parks, where owners have left their vehicles whilst enjoying the countryside. This is a reminder to all ……PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLE ITEMS IN VEHICLES   Please make contact with me either on email or 101 if you require Police Notice to be put in your vehicle stating that …………..ON THE ADVICE OF HAMPSHIRE CONSTABULARY NO VALUABLES HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THIS VEHICLE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HEATING OIL TANKS ARE SECURE AND REGULARLY CHECKED – there has been an increase in heating oil thefts in the area. Please do not hesitate to make contact with Hampshire Constabulary if you require any crime prevention advice.

Fuel gauge   ~ Consider buying an electronic tank gauge, which can be read from inside your home. These devices send a alarm or signal to the gauge which plugs into a socket in the house i.e. a kitchen or utility room. It will not only indicate that the tank needs refilling, but will also set off an alarm should there be a sudden drop in the oil level caused by a leak or theft.

Securing access   ~ restricting access to the tank in the first instance is very important, make sure your boundary walls and fences are up to the job and lock driveway access gates at night or when you are out during the day.

Securing Tank   ~   Consider enclosing your tank within a locked building and making sure your tank is well ventilated. Or build a good strong fence, cage or trellis around your tank, this will make it more difficult for a thieve to gain access. Planting prickly plants may do the trick as the offender may leave some DNA.

Regular checks   ~ check the tank gauge regularly to alert you to any sudden drop in oil level which may indicate a theft. This action might also help the police in any subsequent investigation by narrowing down the times of the offence.

Padlocks ~ always invest in a good quality lock, close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to thieves due to their design, close shackle padlocks have a very little metal hoop (shackle) this making it more difficult to get bolt croppers in between. Alarmed padlocks are also a good purchase as this will sound an alarm when tampered with.

Suspicious Activity  ~  when you have a oil delivery please pay attention to any suspicious vehicle/s or person/s in the area, as it seems that heating oil is nearly always stolen shortly after delivery, when the tank is near to full. Please report to the police on 101.

CCTV ~ consider installing good CCTV if possibly with night vision.

SHED AND OUTBUILDING CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE – please read

Recently the rural have been targeted in a number of shed and garage breaks please make sure you sheds and equipment are secure.

Record serial numbers on tools and equipment, take photos or mark your property so it can be indentified, the police recover a large amount of stolen property and are not always able to return the property back to the rightful owner.

doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk or via the website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Property Security – Register your items for free at www.immobilise.com using this service will assist the police in returning property to the rightful owner.

This is a good time to address your home and business security by checking and fixing doors, windows and locks. Making sure fencing and gates are in good order and secure.

Suspicious Activity ~ please report to the police on 101 or if a crime is taking place call 999.