How can you keep your home safe when you are away?

Most burglaries happen when a house or flat is empty.

• Don't advertise your absence when you're on holiday, or even out at work or shopping.
   
• Use time switches - available from DIY shops - to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you're out. This will make it look as if your house is occupied.
   
• Don't let your TV or video show through a window.
   
• Draw the curtains if you are going out for the evening.
   
• Get a friend or neighbour to look after your home when you are on holiday - to collect mail left in the letterbox, adjust the curtains, sweep up leaves, even mow the lawn and generally make the house look lived in.
   
• If you go away, cancel the milk and newspapers.

Help

Housing Department

Of your local council – if you are a council tenant, some councils help pay for extra locks and alarms, especially for pensioners and the disabled, or there may be a special lock-fitting scheme. If not, they or the police may tell you about any run by a voluntary or other local organisation in your area.

Home Insurance Companies

Some firms offer lower premiums to people who fit security locks and alarms. Some also offer discounts if you belong to a Neighbourhood or Home Watch scheme. Ask the firm whether it minds which systems you buy.

Building Society or Bank

They may be willing to lend you the money for extra security, and to add it to your mortgage. Good security can increase the value of your property.

Crime Prevention Advice

Contact the Master Locksmiths Association, 5d Great Central Way, Daventry, Northants NN11 3PZ, Tel. 01327 262 255, or email: enquiries@locksmiths.co.uk for the name of an approved locksmith in your area. Or visit their website (opens in a new window).
 

Crime Prevention for Your Home

• Thieves like portable, high value, easily saleable goods like TVs, videos, hi-fi, home computers, cameras, jewellery, silverware and antiques. You can mark these things with your postcode and the number of your house or flat.
   
• You can get inexpensive kits to do this from DIY stores and stationers. You can also permanently etch items with a special etching or engraving tool. This is preferable to ultra-violet or 'invisible' marking which can fade or be removed. You may want to share the cost with neighbours and friends.
   
  • The first half of the postcode indicates your town and area such as: NT42.
  • The second half pinpoints the locality within that area, and part of a street, such as: NT42 9WA.
  • Mark your valuables using the postcode followed by your house number such as: NT42 9WA 7.
     
• Keep a list, too, of the serial numbers of your television, video and hi-fi equipment. The numbers will be useful if you need to make an insurance claim.
   
• The police will let you have a sticker for your window saying your possessions are marked. This will put off burglars.
   
• If you have things like jewellery or silver which you don't want to mark, take colour photos of them to include hallmarks and other identifying marks. If your property is stolen, this will help the police identify it if it turns up.

Help

• All police forces have officers trained in crime prevention - contact your local station for advice. You can get advice on how to secure your home or business premises.
   
• You can get further advice on home security and postcoding your property in the leaflets 'Beat the Burglar', 'Coded for Keeps' and 'Peace of Mind When You're Away'. Available from your local police station or write to Home Office, Communication Directorate, Room 151, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT.

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