Stop the sneak thieves

Published on 24th May 2007 in News

Humberside Police are urging householders to spare a thought for the things they rarely think about.

Officers are asking people to consider where they put their valuable items such as keys and mobile phones when they walk into their homes and think about whether they are safe from sneak-in thieves.

In an effort to remind householders of steps to take, new leaflets have been designed which will be handed out to people by officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The leaflets will be distributed to the more elderly and vulnerable members of the community and areas where there have been reports of sneak-in burglaries. Copies will also be left at community centres, doctor's surgeries and similar venues across the force area.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver said: "Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves and in a large number of cases, they don't even have to use force to enter through an open door or window."

Humberside Police are urging householders to assess their homes security to make it as safe and secure as possible by taking these simple, inexpensive precautions:

l Fit strong locks to external doors and windows and make sure they are kept locked.

l Remove the keys and keep them out of sight and in a safe place.

l If you are replacing or fitting new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (windows) and PAS 24-1 (doors).

l Consider using laminated glass for windows as this is much harder to break.

l Consider fitting a letterbox cage or other restrictor to prevent thieves from reaching thought to open the door.

l Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Doors should be at least 44mm thick.

l Fit a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole). Use them every time someone calls. Don't leave door chain or bar on all the time incase you need to get out in an emergency.

l Fit chimes to doors and windows so they make a sound when disturbed.

l Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a brick - thieves know to look there first.