Force highlights how homes can be kept secure from burglars over summer
The Force is encouraging Dorset residents to take measures to keep their homes secure from burglars ahead of a Good Safe Summer.
Burglaries over the summer months are often as a result of opportunity. Criminals target unoccupied homes as people jet off on holiday, or properties where windows and doors have been left open amid warmer weather. Many of these crimes are preventable.
As part of Dorset Police's Good Safe Summer campaign, the Force is highlighting a few simple steps homeowners can take to make it harder for offenders to gain entry:
-Ensure electrical items and other valuables are not left on display
-Keep keys hidden away in a secure place
-Keep your doors and windows shut and locked where possible, even if you’re in your property
-Secure any garden sheds with locks and put garden tools or ladders away as burglars can use these to break in-to properties
-Consider fitting your property with a house alarm, video doorbell or CCTV
-Ensure any existing CCTV is clear from spider webs, shrubbery etc.
There are some extra measures you can take if you’re planning on going away this summer:
-Let your neighbours and friends know you’re going away but don’t put it on social media as this is an advertisement to burglars that your home is empty
-Give the impression your home is occupied - use a light timer switch, draw the curtains, cancel milk and newspaper deliveries if you’re away for a while
-Consider getting a house sitter
Detective Superintendent Aimee Schock, of Dorset Police, said: “Dorset remains one of the safest counties to live in, but sadly burglaries do still occur.
“It remains a priority for the Force to tackle these offences as we acknowledge the impact they have on victims.
“You can help us by taking these few simple steps to protect your home from opportunistic burglars, who are often looking for easy targets. They could stop a burglar from being successful.”
Detective Constable Erin Kinghorn, of the Dorset County Burglary Investigation Team, said: “Our efforts to reduce burglaries are ongoing and there are many ways we can protect our homes from these criminals.
“Where these incidents do occur, we strive to improve attendance times and the service provided for victims, and remain dedicated to targeting the offenders.
“If you have been a victim of burglary, please report it to us and do your best to preserve the crime scene by not touching or moving anything. This is crucial for the police to collect evidence.
"Consider forensically marking your property and valuables. These measures help police identify stolen goods, making it harder for thieves to sell them on."
Dorset Police is also urging the public not to be complacent this summer. If you see someone acting suspiciously in your area, please call us on 101 or if a crime is in progress, dial 999.
Consider finding your local Neighbourhood Watch group so you can partner with other residents to reduce crime. Go to www.ourwatch.org.uk to find out what groups are active in your area and to register to join.
If you have information about someone handling or receiving stolen goods and you don’t want to report it to the police, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, free and anonymously.
To be notified about crimes or incidents happening in your neighbourhood sign up to Dorset Alert at https://www.dorsetalert.co.uk/
For more advice on how to keep your home secure, visit: https://www.dorset.police.uk/protectyourhome
For more information on how to forensically mark your property, visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/mark-your-property/