Felsted

Update

Now that Spring is finally here, with the welcome approach of longer daylight hours, lighter nights and hopefully warmer weather, now is the time to consider the possible crime problems which may sometimes occur at this time of year:

THE GARDEN: If someone can get into your garden easily without attracting suspicion, it gives them more time to steal from you.
• Are your fences and gates in good repair?
• Do you have security lighting? Low energy dusk to dawn lighting is environmentally friendly and cheap to run.
• Do you leave things outside all year (ornaments, furniture, and tools) which could be removed easily or used to break into your house? Secure them in position or fill with heavy gravel to prevent easy carrying.
• Are there overgrown areas where someone could hide? Cut it back so you can see what's going on. Gravel on paths and driveways can alert you to someone approaching so intruders will not be so keen. Prickly plants and trellis can provide extra protection from the intruder.

SHEDS AND OUTBUILDINGS: Without realising it, you probably have a lot of valuable property in your sheds and outbuildings and you don’t pay as much attention to security as you should. Power tools, lawnmowers, cycles, golf clubs etc are all expensive to replace and attractive to thieves.
• Has your shed survived the winter without damage which could help a thief gain access?
If not, don’t delay – Fix it now!
• Are your doors secured? Shed doors are notoriously easy to get into so strengthen the door and frame if you can. Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong pad bars and close shackle padlocks. Up and over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. There are other effective devices available which stop the door being lifted. 5 lever mortice locks are the best on normal solid doors.
• Are windows secured? Is the glass cracked but you haven’t got round to replacing it? You could use Perspex or polycarbonate sheet if well fixed. Use a window lock on opening windows and a strong grille or heavy wire mesh. Consider using net curtains to deter casual viewing.
• Use an alarm – battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent. If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737.
• If the garage is linked to your house, is the connecting door as well protected as the main door? If not, upgrade the door security now!

PROPERTY: Check what you keep in the shed.
• Does your insurance cover the shed and garage and all the equipment you store there?
• Is everything post-coded so that you could identify it if it was stolen? Most items can be post-coded by a variety of methods (etching, branding, paint stencilling etc) and easily identifiable items will make them more difficult for a thief to dispose of and therefore less likely to take in the first place.
• Do you have a note of serial numbers? Have you photographed any valuable items and put the photos somewhere safe?
• Do you secure property within the shed? So that even if someone did break into it, they would not just be able to walk off with all your valuable items? Chain cycles, mowers, ladders and tools to a strong anchor point such as metal rings fixed in concrete to the floor – use a close shackle padlock.
• As sheds are not designed for safe storage, would it be better to have a strong lockable box or cage inside your shed - preferably fixed to the floor?
• Ask your neighbours to keep their eye on your shed as well as the house and do the same for them in return. If you’ve hidden your shed so it can’t be seen, cut down some foliage so you’re not providing cover for a thief.
• When you’ve made your garden, shed or any outbuildings more secure, remember to lock things away every time. It only takes a minute to pick something up and walk off, so don’t be tempted to leave everything out while you go inside for a cup of tea; and never leave cycles unlocked.

We are still suffering with metal thefts within the Uttlesford District, this includes theft of lead from church roofs and has even stretched to the theft of man hole covers from the road. Please be vigilant and report any suspect activity to the Police.

For crime reduction advice, please contact your local Uttlesford Crime Reduction Officer, Peter Caulfield.
Tel: 101. Ext: 395387. Email: Peter.Caulfield@essex.pnn.police.uk

Are You Interested in Neighbourhood Watch?

Neighbourhood Watch is the biggest and most successful Crime Prevention initiative in the UK. Behind it lies a simple idea that standing together makes communities stronger in the face of crime. This central value is shared by millions of people around the country.

Of course it is the responsibility of the Police Force to monitor and fight crime; however they can be far more effective in doing so with your help. Neighbourhood Watch is a voluntary organisation which works in active partnership with the Police. Neighbourhood Watch Schemes can:

• Cut crime and the opportunities for crime
• Advise on how to protect yourself and your property
• Help and reassure those who live in fear of crime
• Encourage neighbourliness and closer communities
• Assist in protecting the vulnerable against crimes and hard selling.

Neighbourhood Watch is not just concerned with reducing crime figures – it’s about helping to create communities who care. It helps local people, young and old, to stand together and can make a real contribution to improving the quality of life in your neighbourhood.

The activity of Watch members can foster a new Community Spirit and belief in the community’s ability to tackle problems in partnership with the Police, Local Council and Businesses.

Other benefits include regular Crime Prevention updates to help keep your home and belongings safe, plus the extra security which belonging to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme offers, means that you can often get a premium discount on your home insurance.

If you are interested in becoming involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please contact:
Peter Caulfield, Watch Administrator,
Saffron Walden Police Station, East Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1LX

Tel: 101. Ext: 395387. Email: Peter.Caulfield@essex.pnn.police.uk