How to beat burglars... (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

How to beat burglars...

It need not cost a fortune to protect your valuables but it could cost a fortune if you don't, reports Stephanie Tye.

SPENDING just a few pounds can make your home a lot less attractive to potential burglars.

Swindon police are encouraging homeowners to take extra precautions when it comes to home safety.

But people don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to deter thieves.

Just making it more difficult for would-be burglars can mean the difference between them entering your house or just running off.

The Advertiser was given a tour around one house in North Swindon which boasts a range of security features.

Most of them costs no more than around £20 each.

Patty Holt, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer, said part of the problem is that people don't think about securing their property.

"One of the main problems is garages.

"People assume they have nothing to steal from them and so use a 40p lock to secure it when they have a £500 lawnmower inside."

Homeowners are advised to look from the outside in when it comes to securing their property.

Bob Walton, architectural liaison officer, said most people forgot to look at the most obvious first defence fences.

"It needs to be of a sufficient height so burglars are unable to jump, or climb over it.

"The unfortunate thing is a lot of people, even if they saw someone jump over a neighbour's fence, would think it was too minor to call the police over."

And with the warm weather continuing, police are eager to remind people not to leave doors unlocked.

"If you are in the back garden and your front door in unlocked you are unlikely to hear if anyone enters," said Ms Holt.

"It only takes two minutes for them to run in and steal something."

They are also warning residents to be aware of thieves occupying them at the front door while someone enters the house through the back.

But it is the emotional feelings of being burgled that take some people by surprise.

Mr Walton said: "For most people it is not what has been taken that causes the most upset, but the fact that someone has violated your personal space.

"They have been inside your home and touching your things without your permission or knowledge."

For some victims, this can mean that they feel the need to move house.

Swindon police offer a survey service to homeowners to establish just how safe their homes are.

Each year they survey around 200 premises.

Mr Walton said: "We go around homes and check to see where the possible weaknesses are.

"We don't force people into buying expensive security items that they don't need.

"If they only need to buy a lock for the gate, then that is all we will suggest they get."

But after putting all these features into place, how can a homeowner be sure if their homes are safe?

Ms Holt said: "What I say to people is if you forget your key, then how easy is it for you to get access into your house?

"Some say they always leave the bathroom window open for the cat so they could get in that way but so could a burglar.

"If they tell me there is no way to get in, then they have a very safe and secure house."

TOP TIP

ENSURING all windows are securely locked is an essential part of home security. "Windows are supplied with locks for a reason, people forget that," said Mr Walton.

Homeowners should lock all windows supplied with a lock and keep the key in a suitable place.

Swindon police also advise people not to leave windows open for pets to enter the home.

"This provides the perfect opportunity for thieves," said Mr Walton.

TOP TIP

VERTICAL blinds help to stop would-be thieves from seeing what is inside your property.

"The number of people who just leave laptops on the arm of a chair in front of a window is astounding," said Mr Walton.

"I am not a fan of net curtains, but they do help to deter criminals."

Installing any type of permanent window covering, such as blinds, is a simple to stop people passing by from looking in and seeing what is on offer for the taking.

TOP TIP

HOMEOWNERS do not need to spend thousands of pounds on a fancy alarm to protect their home. "You can get a very good, wire-free system, for around £200," said Mr Walton.

"A lot of people are put off by the idea of alarms purely because of the cost."

Mr Walton added: "Not only do alarms deter burglars but if the siren continues to sound and they can't get in, the would-be intruder will often abandon the burglary."

TOP TIP

"DON'T waste your money on a cheap lock" that's the message Swindon police are giving homeowners.

Locks such as a closed shackle lock are ideal for things such as garden sheds as thieves cannot get a crowbar underneath it. This type of lock would cost around £15.

Bastard screw locks, are also ideal for sheds and gates as once they have been screwed in, they cannot be unscrewed.They cost around £10

Crime busters on guard

SWINDON has its own specialised burglary task squad.

The Crime Targeting Team, formerly known as Operation Delta, is responsible for looking at persistent offenders.

Their duties include covert and overt duties, including the execution of warrants.

The team was launched in 2003 to target soaring burglary rates in the town.

In the last year there has been a 20.1 per cent reduction in burglaries.

This is the equivalent of 259 people saved from the trauma of being burgled.

Acting Det Insp Ady Wys, of the Crime Targeting Team, said: "Swindon is one of the safest towns of its size in the country.

"Having said that any burglary is one too many.

"People need to remember to secure their homes, especially in the warmer weather, when windows get left open."

Officers from the Crime Targeting Team have a responsibility to identify any series or methods used to commit offences, or an individual's preferred method of committing a crime.

They also maintain a consistently high service to victims.

To help them in their duties, the team has a dedicated burglary car to attend all homes that have been burgled.

As well as focusing on burglary, the team has now been extended to look at other areas of crime.

This includes Class A drugs, vehicle crime and targeting prolific and priority offenders.

In 2003 officers raided a house in Guppy Street and removed items allegedly stolen from shops, including a DVD player, video and TV.

Earlier this year, Home Office figures showed that, in terms of crime, Swindon was the safest place in the country.

And according to a survey by Endsleigh Insurance, the town has the third lowest household burglary rate in the country.

Stephanie Tye