There has been a recent warnings issued to home-owners across the UK regarding burglaries, with Grimsby seeing a particular spate of break-ins as of recent.
The warning has been specifically aimed at elderly homeowners, particularly those who suffer with dementia and also homeowners who are away often or planning to go on holidays.
The warnings come after a spate of burglaries across the nation in the past few months, some quite aggressive and random and others more planned, with break ins occurring while homeowners are away.
Upsetting examples include three burglars who “preyed on elderly people with dementia over Christmas.” The crimes took place in Iver, Chalfront St Peter, Slough and Windsor, and included the burglars using verbal and physical assaults.
So what can we do to stop burglars?
Tips to reduce the risk of burglary
If you are worried about your own home or the home of someone you know, there are precautions you can take to reduce the risk of burglars. We’ve listed some helpful tips below:
- Visit the property or homeowner as often as you can each day, but try to keep these visits unpredictable by going at different times.
- Purchase some timers for lights so that they will come on even when no-one is home. Security lights can also make a thief think twice when a front garden and front and back entrances are lit up.
- When visiting the property open up the curtains, collect the post so there isn’t a visible build up and keep all valuables out of sight from passers by. It’s also worth keeping the gardens maintained so it looks lived in. Buglers look for signs that suggest your away or not in, so try to avoid closing blinds.
- Purchase burglar alarms and our personal alarms and key safe for extra security for elderly people, who may live alone.
- If no one is using the home and it’s empty ask neighbours to check in when they can, and also park in the drive – so it looks like someone is home.
- Anything suspicious should be reported to the police by calling 101. Try and give as much detail as possible, of the person/ people involved and any vehicle registration numbers.
