Police in Oldham have launched a new awareness campaign to encourage residents to light up as the nights get darker.
Households in areas recently targeted by burglars will be issued with security marking kits, light timers, shock alarms and visible signs and window stickers, which will clearly indicate that would be burglars are within a protected area.
Chief Inspector Jo Marshall for Oldham Division, said: "We know that the darker nights bring a rise in burglary and we hope that by delivering the SelectDNA kits and encouraging residents to mark their property we can deter burglars and help residents to feel more secure in their homes.
"We are doing all we can to stop burglary and this is a tactic that works. We want to be able to catch offenders breaking into homes and to be able to stop them from making future break in attempts."
If you are not in Oldham or surrounding areas, there are a number of simple measures you can take to deter potential offenders:
- One in three burglaries is a result of windows and doors being left open or unlocked, even when you’re at home. So reduce your chances of being burgled by keeping all vulnerable doors and windows locked. As darkness is set to fall earlier, then what may have been a job taken care of in the evening should now be considered at 3pm. To a burglar, a dark house is an empty house.
- If you are going out for the evening, or if throughout the winter months you return home from work after dark, then use a timer with a light to give the impression that someone could be at home. Of course, burglars are aware that these devices exist, but are far less likely to take a chance on a property showing signs of activity.
- If you're going to be away for any length of time, ask a trusted neighbour to open and close curtains and check your house on a regular basis.
- If you have an alarm, ensure you use it, set it before you leave. If you don't have an alarm system, it may be worth investing in one, or if this is outside your budget, a dummy box can act as a deterrent.
- To a burglar, a dark doorway is an opportunity to hide. Fit a security light over your front door as the last thing the burglar wants is to be thrust suddenly into the spotlight!
There are things the opportunist burglar will look out for:
- Side gates open
- Accessible windows open
- Ladders left out, allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows
- Garden tools available to force entry
- Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance
Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's worth a second look.
Don't leave the burglar a key!
Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places
- Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the front door
- Do not label your house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands.
Burglary is a despicable crime that has a massive impact on victims and also affects other residents who may live in fear of burglary when there is an increase of it in their area.
Suspicious activity can be reported directly to GMP on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress, people should use the 999 number.