Crime Prevention

Preventing scammers, burglars and thieves

Protecting Your Home

Sadly at this time of year, criminals always up their activities and presence. Police forces across the country are reminding residents to take simple crime prevention steps to keep themselves and their homes safe and secure during the winter months.Even with more people staying at home due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it won’t stop opportunist burglars. The following tips offer the biggest protection…crime prevention:Do you protect important items?Some items you own may be very expensive, unusual, antique or have sentimental value, and therefore would be extremely hard to replace if lost or stolen. It's a good idea to:

security-mark items including bikes, mobiles and laptops.

keep receipts, serial numbers safe and phone IMEI numbers safe.

photograph and insure expensive or unique items.

install a safe, bolted to the ground or a wall, or use a safety deposit box at the bank.

register important items for free on the national Immobilise database – this can help us return them to you if they are stolen and then recovered.

Do you lock and alarm your vehicle?Some burglars may break in to your property looking for the keys to your vehicle.Always store keys away from doors and windows and take them with you when you go to bed. It's a good idea to store electronic car keys in a signal blocking pouch so they can’t be scanned by thieves.As well as locking and alarming your vehicle, you should also:

remove items left inside - including jackets and loose change

secure items in your boot, out of view, if you need to leave your vehicle while you’re out - but try not to leave anything inside your vehicle overnight

park in a garage, a secure car park or well-lit location whenever possible

wipe away sat nav suction marks left on your windscreen - this could be all it takes to entice a thief to break in, hoping the sat nav is still inside.

Remember: If you’re clearing ice from your windscreen and need to go back to the house, remove the keys from the ignition and lock your car. Don’t be tempted to leave it running.

Sheds, garages and allotmentsPlaces where you store tools, machinery and other valuable equipment offer easy pickings to thieves - especially when items such as lawnmowers are likely to be packed away until spring.You can reduce the risk of having your property stolen by:

always storing tools and equipment in a locked place

disabling lawn mowers and other machinery when not in use and chaining items together to a solid anchor point

using closed shackle padlocks and installing alarms and security lights.

If your property is recovered after being stolen, you have more chance of getting it back if you have recorded some details (make, model, serial number and identifying marks) and have pictures of the items.You can also:

security-mark items with a UV pen or a forensic marking solution

keep hedges and fences well-maintained and gates locked

secure hanging baskets to their brackets.

Unexpected VisitorsThe thought of unexpected callers knocking at your door can be worrying to some - particularly older neighbours or family members.While most people who call at your home will be genuine, occasionally people can try to trick their way into your home to steal your valuables and money. They are known as 'distraction burglars' or 'bogus callers'.Are you expecting anyone?Be cautious; people from water, gas and electric companies rarely visit without appointments. If there's a real emergency, police and fire-fighters are likely to be there.

Remember: On rare occasions, people may pose as members of the emergency services or armed forces to gain access to someone's home. If you're unsure, follow the tips below.

Top tips to protect yourselfLock your back doors and windows before answering the front door – thieves often work in pairs, one distracting you at the front door while the other tries the back.Use your spyhole and chain and ask who they are through the door first.

Check their identification, even if they have a pre-arranged appointment.

If you're not expecting them and they don’t have ID, don’t let them in.

If they leave you a contact number don’t use it as it may be fake. Find the company’s number in the phone book, on the internet or on a recent bill instead.

If you need to get something, close the door until you return.

If in doubt ask them to leave and come back at a more convenient time when a family member or friend can be with you.

Remember, you are never obliged to answer your door.

Pet TheftPet theft has being growing exponentially in the past few years. There are a number of reasons why dog theft is increasing in the UK.The main issues are the high values attached to so-called ‘designer dogs’, a lack of awareness of the dangers, and lenient prison sentences for those convicted of the crime.The incidence of pet theft during lockdown has sadly risen even higher. The Dogs Trust and Directline have put together the following information to help raise awareness of this devastating crime wave:

There are a number of tactics dog thieves use, so knowing how they work will help keep your pets safe.

From a back garden. Don’t assume your garden is safe, even with a 6-foot fence.

From a car. A dog left in a car is not only at risk of being stolen, but may also suffer heatstroke and possibly death. We recommend you never leave an animal unattended in a car.

Dogs left tied in front of businesses and shops. Without protection, dogs are sitting targets, and if approached with kindness are likely to go along with the stranger because of their friendly nature.

In the park when they're out of sight. Parks are prime spots for thieves looking to take advantage of the confusion. Keep an eye on your dog at all times.

In addition to knowing how thieves operate, there are things you can do to make it harder for them to target your pet:

Be wary of strangers that ask too many questions. If they start asking for personal information be cautious.

Vary your walking patterns. Variety is the key here.

Microchip your pet. Although this won’t prevent your pet from being stolen, it will help identify your pet if it's found.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/issues-campaigns/dog-theft/ScamsOver a third of UK adults have been targeted by scammers. Common scams usually come in the following forms:

An unexpected call from the police informs you they are investigating fraudulent activity on your bank account and need your help to convict the criminal. You are asked to confirm your card details over the phone, or key your PIN into the phone. A smart-looking courier or 'taxi' is sent to your house to collect your cards. Financial institutions will NEVER ask you to do any of this.

A caller claiming to be from the NHS Test And Trace scheme says you have come into contact with someone suffering from Covid-19. You are told you need a test in the post and asked for your home address and bank details so you can pay for it.

You are contacted by email, text message, via social media or in person by someone who says they work for Jobcentre Plus. They offer to claim 'free money' on your behalf, which they say is linked to Universal Credit or an advanced payment of the benefit. But they deduct a fee of 40 per cent or more for their services. They claim to be able to fast-track your application.

You receive a call or home visit from a 'salesman' selling face masks, pills that cure coronavirus or hand-sanitising gels. You are asked for an upfront payment over the phone or an advance cash payment in person but no goods or services will be delivered.

You receive an automated call that appears to be from HMRC telling you to press 'one' to speak to an operator. The call handler says you have not paid your tax properly and threatens you with arrest if you don't settle up immediately.

Another automated call, this time purporting to be from Amazon, saying you have taken out a Prime subscription and should press 'one' to cancel. You are then connected to someone posing as an Amazon customer service agent. The 'agent' explains that the subscription was purchased fraudulently because of a 'security flaw' on your computer. They say they will need remote access to your device to fix the breach. This gives them access to your passwords and banking information.

In some areas Housing Association tenants being targeted by scammers purporting to be from your organisation i.e tricking tenants who are possibly in rent arrears into paying money into a bogus account.

Citizens Advice are urging anyone that thinks they have been targeted by scammers to report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the Scams Action Service on 0808 250 5050.