Home Security Advice.

- NEW! - Download the new WMP Crime Prevention Handbook HERE

- Before calling in someone for a CCTV/Alarm/security check and quote, if they are not a large well-known company it may be worth checking their credentials first by asking family, friends or neighbours for recommendations.

- Fit high security - anti snap & anti bump - locks to UPVC doors. If unsure a locksmith will be happy to advise, or contact us for further details.

- Fit a house alarm. Many can be set to cover the ground floor at night for extra piece of mind and some even phone you if they trigger whilst you are out. Remember to switch it on when you go out - even if you only intend to pop down the shops.

- Fit a perimeter alarm (maybe in an open porch) to warn if someone simply approaches your door at night. Many, like the one on the right, only cost around twenty pounds.

- Consider fitting CCTV. There are lots of self-fit systems, but please be aware that many 'cheap' models suffer from very poor image quality, especially at night when you need it most. If you are unsure then there are a number of local installers who would be happy to offer advice.

- If going away, arrange for a neighbour to open & close curtains if possible.

- Use a plug-in timer to switch on lights when you are out at night. Another good low-cost option.

- If you have off-road parking at the front of your house try and arrange for a neighbour who has a second car to park one at your house while you are away.

- Always remember to lock window handles, preferably at all times, but especially when you are out. Burglars might smash a small window so they can reach in and open a larger one. Easily done if the handles are unlocked.

- If you have french doors, it's worth fitting a 'Patlock' type device (see pic) that fits over the handles and prevents them from being forced.

- Try not to leave keys in rear patio or french doors. If intruders do manage to get in then all you are doing is making it easy for them to get out with your possessions (and house keys!). Also, quite often modern locks do not allow a key to be inserted from the outside whilst there is a key in the lock on the inside - making it difficult should a family member need to gain entry in an emergency.

- If you can afford to it's worth having Laminated Glass fitted to external patio/french doors. It's much more difficult to smash (it doesn't break into thousands of little pieces) It's not impossible to get through but it would certainly slow an intruder down.

- Although fitting outside lights (activated by PIR) is a great idea, don't be tempted to fit ultra-bright floodlights if you have CCTV. The bright light will overcome the infra-red emitted by the cameras and make identification of a suspect almost impossible. preferably use a low wattage LED lamp instead.

- With the spate of recent "car key" thefts by fishing keys through letterboxes, it may also be worthwhile fitting a cheap and simple letter-box lock inside your front door (like this one) It prevents anything being pushed through your letterbox - including your post so remember to unlock it each morning!

- Remember to secure garden gates whilst away and to ensure ladders and garden ornaments are put away inside a locked shed or garage. Try not to leave anything lying around that could be used to smash a window.

- Growing a prickly thorn bush against rear garden fences will help in preventing an intruder from climbing over into your garden.

- Property mark your possessions and register them at Immobilise.com where photos of those items can also be uploaded.

Our local Policing Team offer free advice on making your home secure and we can arrange a visit from them to check things for you.

Visit a virtual crime scene and get some real home security advice. Take a look here.

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