Crime Prevention Tips

As the nights are getting longer, opportunist criminals will look to take advantage of the dark to commit crimes including breaking into your home.

It's vital to leave your home secure whenever you leave it. Getting into an 'exit routine' can help ensure that you don't forget obvious, important things, like not leaving your valuables near windows, or no lights on if it will be dark before you get home.

Here's what Thames Valley Police recommend you try to do before you go out:

close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you're only going out for a few minutes

• double-lock any door
• make sure that any valuables are out of sight

- keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening

- never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways

- in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on

- if you're out all day, then it's advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night

- set your burglar alarm

- make sure the side gate is locked

- lock your shed or garage

- lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor

For more information on protecting your home, click here