It is a new year, but the tactics used by criminals to enter your property or vehicle and steal from within remain largely the same, and so, therefore does the advice we provide to communities to ensure they can minimise the likelihood of being targeted.
While the darkest evenings are now behind us, and it is staying lighter for longer, we are still in Winter and that means additional periods of darkness that can provide criminals with longer hours of cover to operate.
With that in mind, I would encourage all homeowners and tenants to consider the security around their property, particularly when they are heading to bed for the evening, or when they leave their home unoccupied.
First and foremost, please remember to lock all doors and windows and close curtains and blinds, to prevent would-be thieves getting an easy view of what is inside. High-value items, where possible, should be stored safely and securely out of immediate sight and house and car keys, should not be kept near your doors and windows.
This mitigates the ease in which a housebreaker can enter the property, retrieve said items and then steal your vehicle.
We also know that some members of our communities prefer to store large sums of cash, jewellery and even gold, within their properties and this is not something we would recommend. If possible, consider using banks, safe deposit boxes and other means of secured storage for these goods.
For your property itself, please consider investing in robust locks for doors and windows, motion-activated lighting, alarms and even CCTV or doorbell cameras. All these additional measures make your home a far less attractive prospect for criminals.
In the same vein, please remember that sheds, garages, and other outbuildings are extensions of your home and should be secured in a similar fashion. All too often we find that these buildings are loaded with lots of valuable items, but do not have the same level of security as the main home, making it far easier for them to be targeted.
When leaving your vehicle unattended for any period, please try to ensure it’s parked somewhere well-lit and that items of value are either taken with you, or if this is not possible, then ensure that they are stored safely out of sight. Much like your home, remember to lock doors and do not leave any windows open.
Of course, we know that acquisitive crime can also take place outside of the home and our advice to staying safe extends beyond your property too. If you are heading out then wherever you go, please remember to always hold onto your stuff and never leave things, such as phones, wallets, bags, or other belongings unattended at any point.
In busy areas, be mindful of anyone getting too close and be vigilant for any attempts to reach into your pockets or take anything from your bags. Acquisitive crime can extend beyond trying to obtain your physical possessions and criminals have been known to try and obtain pin numbers or remove money from bank accounts using handheld card readers.
There are wallets, purses and other items that can be purchased to block these devices and we’d encourage everyone to consider them for storing their cards. Similarly, if you are entering your pin number manually, be mindful of anyone trying to catch a glimpse of your number.
We have a full range of crime prevention advice available on our website at www.scotland.police.uk. Please visit and help us help you safeguard your home, your vehicle and your belongings.
Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.