Police are asking residents to do the neighbourly thing and keep an eye on each others’ properties if they are away on holiday.
They have also reiterated the importance of taking adequate security measures while properties are empty.
Sergeant Neil Northend of Northallerton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:
Our advice comes following an incident in Northallerton where two men entered a house while the home owner was away, stayed overnight and caused damage to the property.
As well as home owners taking the necessary crime prevention measures before they go away, we are asking residents who see any suspicious people or vehicles in their neighbourhood to notify the police.
If you know your neighbour is away, please keep an eye on their house, and if possible, remove any signs of their absence such as post sticking out of the letterbox, milk left on the doorstep and bins left out in the road. Check their property occasionally to make sure their doors and windows have not been entered.
Please don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity or people to the police on 101. Or, if you see a crime in progress, please dial 999.
Please add the following to your holiday checklist before you go away:
- Let a trusted friend or neighbour know you are going away
- Invest in a few, inexpensive timer plugs to turn on lights at night
- Don’t forget to cancel papers, milk and any other deliveries
- Fit a timer plug to a radio to come on at various intervals
- Fit strong locks to external doors and windows, and make sure they are locked at all times.
- Install outside security lighting; if other people can see your property a burglar may think twice.
- Don’t leave tempting valuables on display
- Fit sturdy deadlocks (British Standard BS3621) to all doors.
- Make sure your doors and frames are strong and in good condition – wood doors should be at least 44mm thick.
- Mark your property – having it marked helps police verify it’s been stolen.
- Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick – thieves know to look there first
- Keep your tools and ladders securely locked up – a burglar could use them to get into your house
- Join one of the successful Neighbourhood Watch groups or set one up. Log on to www.ourwatch.org for more information or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team by ringing 101.
Take our home security survey at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/homesecurity
