A prolific South London thief, Leon Reid, was recently jailed for a string of burglaries. However, before being jailed, Reid handed police a checklist of anti-burglary steps that householders should take if they want to avoid being targeted. Reid also suggested that his checklist should be added to crime prevention leaflets – a pretty good idea, we think!
32-year-old Reid pleaded guilty and was sentenced in November 2011 at Woolwich Crown Court after admitting one count of burglary and asking for 29 others to be taken into account.
The list, sent to police before he was jailed, includes a range of advice – setting out why burglars target homes and what householders should do to avoid being burgled and, in particular, what would specifically put him off targeting a particular property.
This crime prevention list now comes to us courtesy of Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Leader of Merton Council. Cllr Alambritis was present at a seminar where the list was presented.
Here’s the checklist that should stop most burglars in their tracks:
