If you are looking at this page you have probably received either an inflated or deflated balloon in your house.
If you have found an inflated balloon in your remises your property was insecure and open to thieves, make sure you follow these very important crime prevention tips!
If you have found a deflated balloon in your property then well done you property is secure today, however please take a look at the crime prevention tips and ensure you are following them.
1. Shut and lock all doors and windows even whilst at home or working in the garden. Do not rely on your housemates to lock the doors and windows.
2. Make sure your valuables including TVs, computers etc cannot be seen from outside. If you can see it from outside so can a thief.
3. Make your home look occupied while you are out by using timers on lights. Remember to close curtains on dark nights otherwise you will be advertising the fact you aren’t in.
4. Mark your valuables Please ask your Neighbourhood policing team about this free prevention method.
5. If you buy new items like DVD players and TVs don't leave the empty boxes outside where they can be seen as this only advertises them to thieves.
6. Hide or lock away laptops, ipods, and any other small electronic gadgets as these seem to be the most likely property targeted by criminals.
7. Always make sure that you know the serial numbers for your valuable goods as this will also allow us to return goods if they are located after an incident.
8. Make sure your landlord or letting agent fit good quality internal and external door and window locks and make sure you use them. We recommend five-lever mortice locks (BS 3621) on both front and rear doors.
9. Challenge all workmen who call at your door and check their ID cards. If your landlord has made an appointment for someone to call they should have told you beforehand otherwise you could just be letting a thief into your home.
10. Bring your wheelie bin back into the yard after collection. By leaving your wheelie bin out you are providing thieves with a way to get over the wall/fence and also a tool for carrying all your belongings away in once they have burgled you.
11. Keep up to date backup files of all your valuable work especially dissertations because the police always come across students who have lost a significant amount of work that is not recovered.