Beat the burglars

Tuesday August 10, 2010

Make sure you lock your windows and doors and do not leave valuables out on show is the advice from a resident who had a lucky escape when a burglar broke into her home recently.

Melissa Wilson was asleep in her bed last month when an opportunist thief climbed in through an unlocked window and crept into her bedroom.

The 24 year-old woke up and startled the crook who made a dash for it and escaped before the police arrived.

Melissa, who lives with four housemates on Rannoch Road, Hammersmith, said: “It was certainly a bit of a warning for us all and it has definitely made us more security conscious. It was about 4am and this guy climbed in through a window and just walked into my bedroom. I woke up and he just ran out. It all happened very quickly.

“Luckily, he did not take anything but it really was quite shocking. I think that it is vital that people always lock their windows and doors and hide their valuables.”

A high proportion of burglaries occur in the summer, with residents more likely to keep windows and doors open due to the warm weather. Many burglaries also take place at Christmas when people tend to leave their presents on show.

Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “Instances like this are very rare and that is because the council and local Police are tacking a proactive approach to beating the burglars. But we still need your help. It is vital that all residents are security aware and make it as difficult as possible for burglars to enter their homes and properties.”

PC Adrian Simmons, Crime Prevention Officer at Hammersmith Police Station said:" Having visited numerous burglary victims, I've seen how easily offenders exploit security weaknesses, particularly insecure windows. I cannot over emphasise the importance of using proper locks at all times. If, while suffering a sleepless night, you hear anything suspicious outside, look out and call the Police immediately if concerned. Your's could be that call which gives us a vital break."

Over the years the council has helped residents to ‘target harden’ vulnerable properties by boosting security measures like weak locks and dodgy windows. Groundbreaking forensic property coding initiatives – like Smartwater, where valuable items are marked with unique traceable DNA  – have also helped prevent burglaries.

The council also spends more than £1.8 million per year to pay for enhanced squads of beat bobbies in Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith and Fulham town centres. These squads have also played a key role in deterring burglars by  using stop and search powers and carrying out early morning swoops to recover stolen property from burglars’ homes. The council and police also  tackle drug users and drugs pushers who are often involved in burglary.

Notes for editors:

Burglary often rises in the summertime. This can be because people are often away on their annual holidays at this time, or because people leave windows and doors open for ventilation in the warm weather. Taking the following precautions can help minimise your chances of being burgled:

• Close and secure accessible windows in unoccupied rooms.
• Never leave valuable goods.
• Secure doors and accessible windows when you are going out, even if its only for a short time.
• Lock away any tools or ladders in your garden that a burglar might be able to use to force entry to your property .

When you are going away on holiday:

• Try to make your property look occupied by using a segment timer to turn your lights or a radio on and off periodically.
• Cancel any regular deliveries you may have.
• Try to arrange for a friend or neighbour to look in on your property from time to time. When they go away you can do the same for them.