Do not let a burglar spoil your Christmas
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
10/12/2008
'Don't let a burglar spoil your Christmas' is the stark message this festive season as the council and police urge residents to keep their homes secure.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of happiness, celebrations and family fun but while the majority of people are enjoying the festive season some opportunist burglars are on the prowl.
So the council and police are reminding people of the need to ensure that their homes are secure, particularly at this time of the year, when the days get darker earlier and homes are often empty while occupiers are shopping or partying.
It is also during the festive season that homes tend to have more valuable items in them, making them particularly attractive to burglars.
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: ““Cutting crime is our number one priority and that is why there are more police on the streets of Hammersmith & Fulham then ever before. However, we are urging residents to stay vigilant this Christmas and make sure they keep their homes secure. Burglars will use any means possible to break into a property so it is vital that people don’t make their jobs easier.”
Burglary can have a profound impact on its victims as Fulham resident Chris Reynolds found out last August.
Chris had only been living in his flat for five days when it was broken into. He said: “I’d been out for dinner with my girlfriend and as we approached the flat I noticed that my motorbike was missing. The police were standing by the front door and that is when I realised what had happened.
“They’d managed to break through the lock of the main door and kicked in the door to my flat. As well as my bike, they look two laptops, a camera and a games console. I was distraught but my initial reaction was at least the cat is OK! My girlfriend was really upset about the laptop theft because all of our holiday photos were on it.”
Burglary can also have a profound emotional impact on its victims. Chris added: “I didn’t sleep a wink that night and it took me a long time to get over the burglary. Every time that I came home at night I worried that someone may have got in. I am definitely more security conscious now and always make sure that doors and windows and locked. It’s about using common sense and not giving the burglars an open invitation.”
Cllr Smith added: “Don’t put out the welcome mat for burglars this Christmas. Use your common sense and follow the burglary prevention advice issued by the police and council and make sure you have a festive season to remember for all of the right reasons.”
PREVENTION TIPS:
• Shut and lock all accessible doors and windows.
• Make your home look occupied.
• Don’t leave your presents where they can be seen from outside
• If you are going away, make sure you use timer switches for your lights, cancel any regular deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home for you.
• After Christmas, don’t advertise to burglars what new things you have by leaving packaging from expensive presents in your bin area.
• Register any new electrical goods, or pedal cycles, on the nationwide property register www.immobilise.com. You can register any item that has a unique serial number.
• Mark your property with an ultraviolet pen, using your door number and postcode, or use an etching kit.
