Keep Your Home Secure This Winter

As we embrace the dark nights of late Autumn and Winter, how secure are our homes and out-buildings?

Recently, PCSO McGraa conducted a "walking audit" with a member of the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Team.

The aim was to identify any potential security issues in relation to homes being at increased risk of burglary across the winter months.

While the number of burglaries in Buckinghamshire remains low (and lower than the national average) burglary cases rise during the winter months due to increased opportunities — perpetrators are more likely to remain undetected due to darker evenings and homes are often left in darkness when residents venture out.

Preventing and tackling crime across Buckinghamshire is a priority for the community safety team and the walking audit highlighted the following ways in which local householders may prevent their home from becoming a future target.

• Do not leave by bins by back gates — perpetrators can easily use these to help them climb fences and gain access to the rear of the property, so relocate bins away from high walls or fencing.
• Overgrown or high hedging makes it easier for perpetrators to remain hidden and undetected — trim/cut back hedging so the property is more visible to your neighbours and passers-by.
• Do not keep valuables in plain sight — e.g., bikes left out the front, valuables in the windows etc.
• Do not leave your home in darkness during the evenings when you are out and about — use a timer light switch to light up your home.
• Install LED security lights outside your property — these are relatively cheap to run and ensure that perpetrators cannot lurk in the darkness around your home.

There are many other ways you can increase the security of your home, of course. The Thames Valley Police Home Security Guide offers additional tips and advice.

If you would like to keep up to date with local crime prevention information you can follow the Buckinghamshire Community Safety Team on Twitter: @Bucks_Safety or Facebook: @BuckinghamshireCommunitySafety

Remember in the event of a crime please report this to the police on 101 or, in an emergency, 999.