Hatfield Heath

Update

**New Neighbourhood Policing Team Mobile- Covering Uttlesford South, Hatfield Heath, Great Dunmow, Stansted and Felsted. The new number is 07989174801

Hatfield Heath remains a low crime area however, it is always important to remain vigilant. In order to combat this fear of crime we will continue with high visibility patrols in our villages. We also engage on a regular basis with partner agencies such as the local councils to find alternative ways to combat crime and address issues within the neighbourhood.

Shed and outbuilding security.
Burglars are opting for easy pickings at the end of the garden. A shed, garage or out building is often far easier to break into and less likely to be alarmed, yet many carry small but expensive DIY tools which are easier to make off with than a computer or television. Although tools are cheaper to buy than some household items, they carry a healthy second hand value and are easy to sell on quickly.

Advice:
• Install mains or battery powered alarms and invest in some lights to illuminate that part of the garden.
• Firmly secure the shed door and windows.
• Fit a wire cage inside the shed where more expensive items can be locked away.
• Secure hinges with coach bolts not screws.
• Fit window film to any glass to increase its strength.
• Secure a lockable box to the floor and/or wall of the shed to store power tools in.
• Anchor a thick cable to the floor, attach valuables to it and secure with a good quality padlock.

With burglary dwellings occurring in recent weeks during day and night time, we are advising you to make sure you are taking steps to making your home safe. Uttlesford still has one of the lowest recorded rates of domestic burglary with only 1.3 burglaries per 1000 households in the last quarter. That is amazingly low, and we are well placed when measured against the most similar group of districts nationally. Rather than be satisfied with this, we are committed to continuing to reduce the number of dwelling burglaries even further. Burglary is a horrible crime from which we are keen to have as few victims as possible.

You can beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps:

1. Make your home safe and secure by fitting 5 lever mortice locks on external doors and for all other doors and windows fit secure locks.

2. It is most important to take extra care when locking up particularly with regard to UPVC doors. Lift the handle and lock the door with the key.

3. When you leave your property remove keys from locks and place them out of sight.

4. With the nights drawing in make your property look occupied at all times by using automatic light timers and you might want to consider installing external lighting.

5. Nowadays burglars break into properties to steal car keys so avoid leaving car keys near a door or window where and lock your car in a garage or behind a locked gate if possible.

6. Items that are targets for burglars are usually small concealable items and cash, jewellery, laptops, cameras, sat’ nav’s and games consoles. Help us by recording serial numbers of electrical items or mark property with ultra violet pens which can be picked up from local Police stations, roadshows and Police surgeries across Essex. Marking can help trace an item that’s yours as well as the person who stole it.

“We have plenty of other crime reduction advice on this website or by contacting your local crime reduction officer on 101. Crime reduction officers offer free advice on crime reduction and if you are considering installing a burglar alarm will put you in touch with regulated alarm installation companies in your area.”

Check your house, doors and windows regularly. If you are leaving your home unattended, make it look like someone is at home. Leave a light on, get neighbours to visit your home and move any post away from view if on holiday get someone to park a vehicle on your driveway. You can buy sensor lights which come on automatically when the daylight draws in, which we recommend.

Scrap metal
With an increase in building work in the area, building sites are being hit with burglaries and thefts and we are appealing to the public to report any suspicious people or vehicles immediately using 999. Scrap metal is particularly popular at present. Please record times along with descriptions and vehicle details, including registration numbers.