Transcript Home Survey Presentation A

Safety in and out of the
Home
Pat Simcox PC392VW
Crime Prevention Design Advisor
Merton Borough
020 8649 3245
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• 35% of all burglaries are crimes of opportunity, where
entry is gained through unlocked doors or windows
• A person is ten times more likely to be burgled if they
don’t have basic security - even something as simple
as putting strong locks on the doors and windows will
keep a house much safer
• Burglary has fallen by nearly 60% since 1995, but
criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of
any chance to steal, so people should remain aware
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Most burglaries are carried out
by opportunist thieves. It is a
crime of opportunity
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The Occupiers Liability Act 1984
Householders have a responsibility to ensure
the safety of ‘any visitors’ to their home
If any person injures themselves on measures
taken to secure a property, they can sue the
occupier for damages - this does not include
injuries from plants.
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Points to consider:• Nothing that may be harmful should be placed
less than 2m from ground level (barbed wire)
• Security products used to protect a home should
not be hidden (e.g. Plants being allowed to grow
around it)
• Well displayed notices drawing attention to the
hazards, while not a complete defence, helps to
show that the occupier has done all that is
possible to prevent injury
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Consider fitting trellis to the top of the
fence in order to deter people from using
the road sign to climb over.
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A secure gate but entry can still be
gained via the neighbours side. The
neighbour should take similar
precautions or place fencing along
the top of the wall.
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The hedging should be cut back in order to prevent
people from hiding along the path. The public are
then more likely to use it, which in turn would give
more informal/natural surveillance to the premises
that are adjacent to it.
The hedging should be cut back in order to prevent people
from hiding along the path. The public are then more likely to
use it, in which case there would give more ‘informal/natural
surveillance’ to the premises that are adjacent to it.
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The ladders should either be secured to the
wall or locked away.
The ladders should either be secured to the
wall or locked away.
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Never leave keys in or under pots, mats, rocks
etc. This is the first place a potential burglar
will look.
Never leave keys in or under pots, mats,
rocks etc. This is the first place a potential
burglar will look.
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No hedges or fencing allows for good
informal/natural surveillance from
neighbours, passing motorists and
members of the public. A clearly defined
border between private and public
property.
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Trees and Bushes
Bushes should be cut back
to a maximum height of 3ft,
and the tree canopy should
be no lower than 8ft. This
allows for a clear view of an
area and deters people from
hiding.
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Garages and sheds
Garages and sheds are often full of
expensive tools, which are ideal for
breaking into the the house. Burglars
do not need to carry the tools of their
trade if there is an insecure shed
around. Unfortunately, the garden shed
tends to be forgotten where home
security is concerned.
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The Home
Some things to consider!
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Reducing your chances of
becoming a victim of crime
• Lock doors and windows (fit window locks)
• Don’t leave cash / credit cards / car keys lying
around.
• Keep items out of view / put garden tools away
• Mark Property
• Use timer switches
• Close/Padlock garden gates to restrict access
• Fit an alarm
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DOORS
A Five lever mortice deadlock should be
fitted to front doors a 3rd of the way up
the door. (BS 3621/1998)
In many cases, ‘home insurance polices’ will insist on this
type of lock being fitted as a minimum standard!
An automatic dead-latch cylinder rim lock
should be fitted a 3rd of the way down the
door. (BS 3621)
Is there a ‘spy hole’ and/or a robust door
chain.
Back doors should have the same
level of security as front doors.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Door viewer
Sturdy hinges
Letter boxes (at least 16 inches
from the locking points)
Solid door
Automatic dead lock
Door chain
5 lever mortice dead lock
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UPVC doors
If your house is fitted with uPVC doors make
sure you always lock the door with a key.
Simply closing the door and pushing the
handle up will not prevent someone
entering.
Ensure that you engage the multi-locking
mechanism and that the door is securely
locked.
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PATIO DOOR LOCKS
These doors should have
a minimum of three
locking points, with an
anti-lift device to prevent
them from being lifted
from their runners.
Always remember to lock
your patio doors with a
key and remove the key
from the lock.
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WINDOW LOCKS
Casement window lock
Sash window lock
UPVC window locks
Again remember to lock the
window and remove the key
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Fire Safety
Improving the security of your home need
not mean that escape in the event of a fire
will prove more difficult.
Early warning is essential, fit a detector.
Keep the house keys at your bedside at
night and somewhere near the front door
during the day, but not on show and
ensure that all the occupants are aware
of their location.
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OUTSIDE LIGHTING
Fit some form of security lighting to the front
and rear of your home.
Low level ‘Dawn to Dusk’ lighting or PIR
(Passive Infra-Red) are inexpensive and
effective.
Good lighting can put off or draw attention to
a thief.
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PROPERTY MARKING
Why mark or register property?
Marked or registered property is:•
easy to identify
•
difficult to sell
•
can be returned to its
rightful owner when recovered
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Engraving Or Etching
Engraving or etching is suitable for
many hard surfaces. This method
leaves a visible and permanent mark.
Ceramic Marking
Ceramic marking pens have been
developed to mark china, glass or any
glazed surface.
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Ultra Violet Or 'Invisible' Marking
An ultra-violet (UV) pen can put an invisible
mark on property which can only be seen
by using a UV lamp. The mark can fade in
time and can be washed off so it needs to
renewed regularly.
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Keep A Record Of Your Property
Marking things like jewelery or antiques is
difficult and could reduce their value.
Always ask your insurer first.
Photograph each item, preferably in colour,
paying special attention to any
distinguishing marks.
Take the photograph against a plain
background and include a ruler to give an
idea of size.
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Property Registration
Property can be registered for free on
line at:-
www.immobilise.com
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What is distraction Burglary?
Distraction burglary is the type of
burglary where the ‘method of entry’
is by trick rather than by a ‘forced’
entry.
Most people who call at your home will
be genuine, but sometimes people
turn up unannounced, with the
intention of tricking their way into
peoples homes.
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There are around 12,000 reported
incidents of 'distraction burglary'
every year – between Sept 10
and Sept 11 Merton Police had 40
allegations of this type reported.
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They use a number of guises to gain entry to
the victims home: 
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Water Board officials – Flooding/leaks
Bogus Builders
Bogus Police Officers
Age Concern
Social Services -VS, Care Workers,
Home help
Various people asking for money
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How do they do it?
One example would be that, having
identified some roadwork's in an area the
offenders will visit selected homes
professing to work for these companies.
A panic situation is created, linked to the
works, and entry to the home is urgently
requested. Often there will be two people
- whilst one of them keeps the victim
occupied in the kitchen the other,
unbeknown to the victim, enters their
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home and searches it.
What precautions can you take if
you have an unexpected caller?
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Lock your back door
Use a door chain/door viewer, look out a window
Check their ID, close the door while you do this!
Write down your ‘customer reference’ numbers –
utility workers etc. should know them
• Organise a ‘password’ with the utilities
• If they want to sell something, tell them ‘you
don’t do business on the door step’
• If you have a locking porch door – use it!
If in doubt, keep them out, ring 999
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Only let them in if you are sure
they are genuine.
• Genuine callers will always be happy to
make an appointment to call and will carry
an identity card with a photograph.
• They won’t mind waiting if you want to
phone to confirm their identity or want to
rearrange the appointment.
• Make a list of the ‘enquiry’ phone numbers
that are shown on your bills – Gas,
electric, water etc so that you have them
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to hand.
Staying safe when you’re out and about
• Never leave your bags or other valuables unattended
• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards and
cover up expensive looking jewellery
• If a wheelchair user keep bags containing money in front of you
• In restaurants never hang your bag on the back of the chair
• Carry your house keys, purse/wallet and money in different
pockets
• Think ahead and plan your journey, avoid deserted areas
• If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the
street. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where
there are other people
• Stick to well-lit roads with pavements
• Try to vary your route and time
• Don’t look like a victim – walk with a purpose
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If the worst happens!
If someone threatens you, shout and scream
and set off your personal attack alarm if
you have one. This may unnerve the
attacker and frighten him off
You have every right to defend yourself, with
reasonable force, with items that you may
have with you i.e. an umbrella, hairspray
or keys can be used against the attacker.
The law however does not allow the
carrying of anything that can be described
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as an offensive weapon
Staying safe in Taxis
• Always ensure that you travel in a licensed taxi or
Private Hire Vehicle by checking the vehicle's
signage or plate and the driver's badge
• Check that the taxi or PHV that arrives is the one you
ordered and ask for the drivers name
• Make a note of the company you are using, and the
telephone number, and if possible leave it with a
friend
• If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area
where there are plenty of people
• When you get to your destination, ask the driver to
wait until you are inside
• If travelling alone, always sit behind the driver, in the
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back seat
Staying safe on public
transport
• Try to stay away from isolated
bus stops, especially after dark
• Sit near the driver or conductor
• On a train, sit in a
compartment where there are
several other people - check to
see where the emergency
chain is
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Be aware of whose hand is in
your bag
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Staying safe when driving
• Plan how to get to your destination before leaving,
and stay on main roads if you can
• Make sure you have enough petrol and money
• Always lock the doors, never leave keys in the car
• Park in a well-lit, busy place close to CCTV or in a
Safer Car Park
• Look around before you get out
• Have your key ready when you go to your car
• Keep bags, mobile phone’s and other valuables out
of sight
• Don’t wind your window down far enough so as to
allow someone to reach in while you are stopped in
traffic.
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DON'T BE TAKEN IN BY SCAMS
Put simply, a scam is a scheme designed to
con you out of your money. Ultimately
though, it's up to you how you spend your
money…..
Stop, think and be sceptical. Are you being
offered something for nothing? If so, why?
Fake lotteries
Prize draws
Incredible schemes to make money quickly
Fake investment plans
Fake inheritance
Work from home schemes
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Remember, if you win something you
shouldn't have to pay for it, not even the
cost of a call.
Don't dial 090 numbers unless you are sure
how much you will be charged and are
willing to pay for it.
For practical advice contact
Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06 or
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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When using a ATM
During the day rather then at night
Within the bank rather then the street
Stand as close to the machine as possible
Cover the keyboard with your free hand so
nobody can see your pin number
If anyone stands too close or tries to distract
you cancel the transaction and walk away
Always put your money away immediately
Use a cashier – nicer to talk to someone 45
Never give your bank details to anyone
you don't know.
Forward suspect emails from
banks/building soc etc. to
www.banksafeonline.org.uk
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Identity Theft
It's illegally using another person’s personal
information or documents to obtain credit,
money, goods, services, employment or
anything else of value or benefit.
Destroy items such as bills,
receipts, bank or credit card
statements and any
documents that show your
name and address or other
personal details and account
numbers.
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To reduce unwanted mail - register
free with the Mailing Preference
Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk or
call 0845 703 4599
To reduce unwanted sales calls
register your phone number for free
with the Telephone Preference
Service (TPS) 0845 070 0707 or
www.tpsonline.org.uk
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When should I call Police?
999 should only be used in emergencies: If a
crime is occurring now or someone is in
immediate danger call 999.
If it is not an emergency, but a crime has
happened: 101
If you are deaf or have hearing difficulties, use
a text phone:Dial 18000 in an emergency.
Dial 18001 0300 123 1212 if it is not an
emergency.
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Crime Reduction Officer
Pat Simcox PC392VW
Crime Prevention Design Advisor
Mitcham Police Station
58 Cricket Green
Mitcham
Surrey
CR4 4LA
020 8649 3245
E-mail: [email protected]
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Thank you for your attention
Any questions?
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