Bank Holiday Burglars

Police warn over expected crime rates during bank holidays

With the sheer amount of bank holidays during April and May, with hopefully expectant sunnier weather, the organised or opportunist thief is set to invade homes, burgle and steal property from under our noses.

Lovely summery climates always encourage home owners to open windows and doors to allow the cool breeze to circulate, but by leaving entrances open to burglars it presents a perfect invitation for the thief to invade your privacy and steal valuables.

Typical increases in the amount of burglaries are often seen during the warmer seasons of the UK. Whereas more insecure properties can experience an unwanted break in at any point of the year, a third of burgled homes easily let the thief in. They are allowed to effortlessly stroll into the area via doors which are not secured or locked, and simply by grabbing possessions from inside an opened window.

Consider that while you sit outside, enjoying the bank holiday with a leisurely approach, that a thief could be lurking in the background ready to hurriedly enter your property, without any knowledge.

A burglar only requires a few seconds to take goods and items from your home. With the added benefit of open entrance ways, this process is remarkably easy for bold thieves. By locking windows and doors, even when you are outside or located within your home, can drastically reduce or prevent the likelihood of a burglar preying on your property.

Ensure valuable items are not on display within open windows or through transparent doors, place them well out of the way and temptation from a would-be thief.

Follow these easy pointers to help in protecting your property

• Don’t allow any visitor inside your home, without first checking their identity. Remember, open the door on a chain. Stop, Chain, Check.

• Ensure keys are not left in locks and move these from being seen. It is not a good idea to leave them on tables or hooks nearby.

• When out, make sure that windows have been closed, move items of worth out of a thief’s view or reach.

• If you have a burglar alarm, set this. Consider purchasing one if you have not yet got a system installed.

• As dusk draws in and it becomes darker, curtains and blinds should be closed to prevent the inside of properties from being externally viewed.

• Use and join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your community, consider creating one if none exists.

• To confuse a thief you can set timing switches to activate lights on and off, this can make it appear you are home, even if out.

• Remember, always dial ’999′ in an emergency or ring your local police force contact telephone number. To report crime anonymously, Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111.

• List stolen property on our free listings to help get maximum coverage.