The Harrogate District Community Safety Group is reminding residents to take security seriously following a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district.
- Since April this year, 91 residential properties have been burgled across the district
with the crimes occurring both during the day and at night. Some of the burglaries in the Harrogate district are committed by sneak thieves who strike when the householder is either in the house or garden and has left the doors and windows open, others strike when no one is home or the house looks unoccupied.
While the district continues to be a safe place to live, the Harrogate District Community Safety Group want to drive home the message that something so simple as locking your door, closing and securing a window – even when you are at home – could help prevent a burglary.
The group, which includes representatives from Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, the police, fire and rescue service, ambulance service, neighbourhood watch, probation service and the voluntary sector, are working together to tackle this crime.
As well as providing crime prevention advice in areas affected by the burglaries, the group are also keen to remind households that they can do a great deal to reduce the risk of being a victim of burglary and other crimes.
Residents are being urged to follow basic crime prevention advice, including:
- Keep all doors and windows locked even if you are at home, or use limiters to restrict the opening;
- When you lock an outer door remove the key from the door and put it in a safe place;
- Make sure that your house looks occupied by leaving lights on in the evening and consider using plug in timers for the lights;
- If not already fitted, consider a professionally installed burglar alarm and security lights;
- Do not leave valuables such as wallets, handbags, jewellery or car keys on display;
- Use a door chain, or other limiter to allow fresh air in without leaving the door open and unsecured;
- Close and, if possible, lock driveway gates, garages and other outbuildings;
- Don’t leave ladders and other items around for burglars to use to gain access to open windows on the first floor;
- Report anything suspicious to the police by dialling 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency.
Inspector Penny Taylor from North Yorkshire Police said:
We are currently providing high visibility patrols in previously targeted locations and are questioning known offenders. Being a victim of burglary is very upsetting. We are here to support the victims of crime and we are doing all we can to catch the criminals responsible. We want householders to review their home security and make it harder for burglars to enter a home. Simple actions can make a significant difference. If you do see anything suspicious please report it.
Further information on crime prevention can be found at: www.saferharrogate.org.uk.
A film on what you can do to prevent burglaries can also be watched:
