Protecting Your Keys, and therefore your car, house, etc

The CID at Bromley Police Station has asked that Neighbourhood Watch coordinators throughout the borough be alerted as soon as possible regarding the following danger to residents property.
Information from Bromley Police indicates there have been overnight burglaries taking place around the borough. The burglars are taking car keys, then stealing the owners cars. This is not a crime wave, but something which has happened on and off for sometime now, and has been happening recently again.
Do not leave car keys in the hall, or handbags in view of the front door, put these items away and out of view. Thieves are able to "fish" through your letter box to steal keys hanging on hooks near the letter box or left on nearby tables etc.
Always ensure that UPVC doors are double locked, as they can be opened by putting an implement through the letter box and lowering the door handle.(See leaflet on upvc doors here)
As reported in the Press, although a wide variety of cars are at risk, particular favourites are Mercedes and BMWs for which there are ready markets worldwide.
As also reported in the media, as vehicle security is improved by the manufacturers it has become harder to steal cars by breaking into them. Obtainig the keys by fishing or by more aggressive means now accounts for about a third of all vehicle thefts.
If possible, any suspicious noise and/or activity should be reported immediately to the police.

Protecting Valuables, Mobile Phones, etc by Registering them:

A service exists, the Immobilise service, for you to register your property so that if your phone, bike, computer or any other registered item is lost or stolen you can use Immobilise to instantly tell police, insurers, and the second-hand trade. These actions can help greatly in the recovery of your property and capture of thieves.

Benefits of registration include:

• Help police identify the owner of lost & stolen property thousands of times each day.
• Loss & theft updates you make are immediately available to the Police nationally.
• Combat the sale of stolen gadgets & valuables by alerting the second-hand trade & publicly checkable stolen goods database CheckMEND if an item goes missing.
• Simplify insurance claims and Police reports with certificates of ownership.
• Great member offers from Immobilise's numerous supporters, often helping support provision of Immobilise.

These features are unique to the FREE Immobilise service.

To Register your mobile phone at www.immobilise.com:
It only takes a couple of minutes and it's completely free. To register all you need is to enter your contact details and your phone's 15-digit IMEI number (this is your phone's unique serial number). The IMEI number normally appears underneath the battery on your phone but on most phones it can also be viewed on the screen by pressing *#06#.
Once you have registered your phone you will have a better chance of getting back to you if it is lost or stolen. Any suspect stopped and found to have a mobile telephone on them will have the IMEI number checked to determine if the phone is theirs.
If your telephone is ever lost or stolen, this should then be reported on 08701 123123. Reporting your phone as lost or stolen will enable Immobilise to block both your SIM card and handset.
Please tell all your family, friends and neighbours about the above.

For more information, or to register, visit http://www.immobilise.com/

Whilst talking of mobile phones, never use the cell phone while it is hooked to an electrical outlet! If you are charging the cell phone and a call comes in, unplug it from the charger and outlet. There has been at least one case of a cellphone exploding in these circumstances.

Protecting Your Home:

Many burglaries are crimes of opportunity. A burglar only needs to spot an open window, unlocked side gate or dodgy alarm to make their move. Think about it - if you know your home security looks poor, so will a thief. Statistics show that properties with little security are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with good security.

Be vigilant by following some of the advice below and your home will be safer.

Don't give thieves an open house

• Remember to close and lock all windows and doors when you leave the house, it is possible to get into a house through even a small window.
• Fit deadlocks to all outside doors. (Burglars hate them because you need a key to open them from the inside as well as the outside.)
• Fit key-operated locks to all the windows. (Burglars don't like having to break glass because of the noise it makes and the risk of leaving forensic evidence.)
• Make sure the deadlock keys, window keys, spare keys, etc aren't in an obvious place.
• If you are upstairs or in another part of your house don't leave downstairs doors open.
• Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like under a doormat, in a flowerpot or inside a letterbox.
• Install a visible burglar alarm, and use it!
• Don't leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house and always lock tools and ladders away.
• Make sure you put your car keys and door keys away. Never leave them on view from a window or the front door.
• Take photographs of valuable property and store separately with details of where they have been marked. If stolen, Police can circulate pictures to dealers who can look out for them. Also take time to register property at www.immobilise.com.

Lastly, leave lights and the radio on a timer for the evening (as little as £2 each from DIY shops) so that it looks like someone is at home.

Don't forget the garden

• Fit a good lock on any door leading to your garden.
• Fit substantial locks to your shed door. The fittings should be bolted through the shed door and reinforced at the back with a steel plate. Any hasp should have concealed screws.
• Mark property such as power tools, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and garden furniture with your postcode, and consider fitting security cages inside sheds or garages and keep valuable equipment inside them.
• Check with your insurance company that your policy covers items stored in garages, sheds and outbuildings and remember, if you don't put your equipment away or lock it up, your insurance company probably won't compensate you.
• You can also carry out a home security check by selecting the DIY Home Security Survey at www.bromley.gov.uk/saferbromley
  

While you are away

• Remember to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries.
• Uncollected mail is a sign that you are away.The Royal Mail's 'Keepsafe' service will keep your mail for up to two months while you are away.
• Mow your lawn just before you go away, or get a neighbour to do this while you're on holiday. Again this makes it look like you're still around.
• Lights on timers are a good deterrent.
• Don't tell too many people that you are going away.
• Consider giving someone you trust, perhaps a neighbour, a spare key and your alarm code in case a problem occurs. They may also be happy to open and close curtains to make the house look more lived in.
• If you and your family need to get to the airport or station ask a friend to take you in their car. If you take a taxi or mini cab, use a firm that is known to you and that you can trust. In addition, if you leave your car in the drive it can give the impression you are still at home.

If there is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area then members will probably be only too happy to help out.

Extra Precautions for Older People
Older people may feel more vulnerable to some crimes, but they are actually less likely to become victims. A few simple steps can also help increase your safety even further:

• Think about getting a personal alarm to use if you trip or fall at home.
• Don't keep large amounts of cash at home - use a bank account instead.
• Look after your pension book carefully. Always follow the advice on bogus callers.

Many councils have security schemes that are aimed at older or more vulnerable people. You could ask them for advice.

Bogus Callers
Most people who come to your door will be genuine callers. But it's best to make sure.

• Fitting a door chain or spyhole will help you check who the caller is - your landlord or council may be able to help with this.
• Lock, stop, chain, check.
• Keep your doors and windows locked.
• Before opening the door, stop. Are you expecting anyone? Are the back door and windows locked so no-one can sneak in?
• Put the door chain on.
• Check the caller's identity. Genuine callers will not mind waiting outside while you contact their company. Most companies now have a password scheme. If you are in any doubt, don't let them in. Ask them to make an appointment to come back at another time.
  
  For more information, phone 0845 906 0708 or visit www.ageconcern.org.uk
  
  

Personal Protection

You hear about people having their bag snatched or their mobile phone stolen. In fact, the chances of it happening to you or your family are low and there are plenty of things you can do to make it even less likely, such as:

• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Keep it zipped up, and make sure your wallet or purse can't be seen.
• Don't carry large amounts of cash.
• Spread your possessions about - for example, keep your mobile phone separate from your purse, and your keys separate from your credit card.
• Cover up any expensive jewellery and, if you must carry other valuables, be discreet.
• Talking on your mobile, wearing headphones (for a CD or MP3 player) or carrying a laptop all show thieves you have things worth taking.
• Have your house keys ready so you can get in the front door quickly - and carry them on you, not in your bag.

Purse Bells: Purse Bells are available from Bromley Borough. The idea of the purse bell is for one to be attached to a purse, wallet or hand bag to draw attention should anyone try to interfere with it. We particularly encourage vulnerable shoppers who may be targeted by pick pockets.

If your mobile phone is stolen visit www.immobilise.com and get the phone blocked.

Incidents:

• An actual incident in Orpington (which could have been very much worse):
  Please can you warn our neighbours (particularly elderly ones living alone) not to let strangers into their home. Our next door neighbour had a very unpleasant experience yesterday: a man followed her home from Orpington High Street and as she went up her drive, he spoke to her saying he desperately needed the toilet and could he borrow hers.
  Being a nice kind person she said yes, but while he was in the house he stole her purse.
  She is understandably very shaken and upset and I would hate it to happen to anyone else living in our street.
  Can you also warn any old neighbour near you please?
  

Vehicle Security

Vehicle crime has actually fallen by over 30% during the last five years. Even so,, there are still more than two million vehicle-related thefts each year, and a lot of them could be prevented. It seems incrdible but we often hear reports of residents leaving their vehicles unlocked overnight. Please Don't!

KEEP IT HIDDEN, KEEP IT LOCKED:

• If possible remove your vehicle from the street and park it in a drive or garage if you have one.
• Always keep your car locked. This includes closing the sunroof and windows, even if you only leave it for a few seconds. That's all it takes for a criminal to steal your car or belongings.
• Don't leave anything in your car, particularly when it's parked overnight. 68% of thefts of and from vehicles happen when they are parked outside the home.
• Park with care. Park in busy or well-Ill areas near CCTV cameras, or in police-approved car parks (look out for 'ParkMarkTM' on signs) if possible:. You can find out which car parks are approved at www.saferparking.com

You're more than twice as likely to have your vehicle broken into than stolen. On average, that means payiny out £100 -just for the repairs.

• Never leave the keys in the ignition, not even in a garage when you are paying for petrol.
• Never leave anything on display (even when parked in your driveway), eg a jacket on the back seat, loose change in the ashtray, a wallet in the glove compartment or mail with your address on it under the seat. Remember: thieves know all the usual hiding places!
• Fit a stereo with a removable front panel (also known as a fascia) - and take it with you when you leave the car.
• Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car. Hide them at home, but not by the door. Thieves will use a hook and cane through the letterbox to steal car keys from hall tables.
• Get a professionally fitted car alarm or a Thatcham-approved electronic immobiliser (you can find an approved installer through the Vehicle
  Systems Installation Board at www.vsib.co.uk or you can use a steering lock on older cars. You can find information on products that have been tested by Thatcham at (phone 01635 868855) or by Sold Secure at (phone 01327 264687).
• Have your car's registration number etched onto all glass surfaces, including the windscreen and headlamps.
• When driving, keep doors locked and windows up, especially in slow traffic. Keep bags and mobile phones out of view. A thief can lean in and steal what's on your passenger seat in the time it takes for a red light to turn green.
• If you're leaving your car, put shopping or anything else in the boot if you can't take it with you.
  

Vehicle Incidents

• When returning to a parked car, particularly in a car park, if you have already got in when you notice a message on the front or rear windscreen, don't get out to read it but move away from the area first.
  There have been many incidents where the owner gets out to remove the note and a thief jumps in and drives off.

Cycle, Motorcycle and Scooter Security

Cycle Theft Prevention
More and more people are cycling, and this means more bicycles are in use. Unfortunately, more bicycles mean more opportunity for theft. Bicycles can be some of the easiest vehicles for thieves and vandals to target. The British Crime Survey reports that more than half a million bicycles are stolen each year.

• Buy a good-quality lock because chains can be easily cut. D-locks or combination locks are best, but a good bicycle shop or DIY store can advise you. You could even use two locks for extra security (and to make thieves think it's not worth trying to steal your bike).
• Always lock both wheels and keep the lock off the ground. This makes it harder to break.
• Take away any extras, like lights and helmets.
• Keep a record of the make, model and colour of your bike in a safe place. Turn the cycle upside down and look for the frame number on the hub, where the pedals are attached. If the worst happens and your bike goes missing, this information can be made available to every officer in the area through the computerised recording system.
• Have your bike frame security-marked with your name and postcode.
• Always chain bikes to something fixed like security rails and ground anchors.
• If possible, at work for example, remove the front wheel and take it with you.
• If you have a cycle carrier on your car and regularly use it, don't leave the car and bikes in isolated places. Park in the busiest areas of car parks where lighting and visibility are good. Look for the Park Mark logo.
• Try not to leave bikes unattended on the rear of vehicles in car parks or service stations but, if you have to leave them unattended, make sure they’re well-secured with good cabling and locks and that the carrier itself cannot be removed easily. Try backing up against a wall or fence so they’re not accessible.
• Take out insurance, either by extending your home contents insurance or through a separate policy.
  

You can find more advice in the Home Office leaflet : "Steer Clear of cycle theft" which gives guidance on how to choose a security device, details mechanical and electronic security devices, marking and identification of bikes, advises on secure purchase of a bike, gives security tips and provides a list of useful contacts.

Secure your Motorbike or Scooter:
Motorbikes and scooters are popular targets for thieves because they can be sold easily or broken up for parts, which are harder to trace.

• Put a steering lock on and use a strong steel cable or D-lock to attach your bike to security rails or ground anchors.
• Get a professionally fitted combined alarm and immobiliser (you can find an approved installer through the Vehicle Systems Installation Board at www.vsib.co.uk. Thatcham and Sold Secure can advise you on the best products.
• If you've got a garage, use it. Or, cover your motorbike or scooter when you're not using it.
  

Always chain bikes, motorbikes and scooters to something fixed like security rails and ground anchors.

Caravan Security

Your caravan is vulnerable everywhere and can be a very easy taret for thieves if you don't take sensible precautions. It is equally vulnerable when parked in your driveway, on a holiday caravan site, parked in a remote country location, or even when in transit. Even if you are only stopping for a short time in a lay-by or at a motorway service station, it's important to protect it.

• Make sure it can't be towed away by locking the tow bar and putting wheel clamps on one or more wheels.
• Keep it locked, windows closed, etc when it is not in use o you are away from it.

Click here for advice on keeping your caravan secure