Help to prevent winter burglaries
Experience tells us that, at this time of year, there is an increase both in burglaries and in theft from vehicles.
As soon as the clocks go back, it quickly becomes apparent where homes are unoccupied in the early evening, so it is more important to make it look as though you are in when you are out. Plug-in timers bringing lights on can help - you could try one attached to a radio tuned to a speech channel such as Radio 4 or Radio 5 Live. If you have a trusted neighbour who can close curtains for you in the early evenings, so much the better. It is always tempting to leave the front room curtains open once the Christmas tree is up and lit, but this can be a signal for burglars. The higher level of burglaries extends into January, when burglars are looking not for the presents you are giving but those you will have received.
Thieves also start to frequent retail park car parks where people go shopping for presents in the run-up to Christmas. Try to avoid filling your car boot with purchases and then going shopping for more. Also be careful about leaving purchases on the back seat of an unattended vehicle.
