Police Launch Operation After Dark As we approach Christmas and the long winter nights continue, officers in Forth Valley Division have launched Operation After Dark, an initiative that provides residents with advice and guidance on home security measures and keeps attention focused on deterring housebreaking. Over the coming months our local officers will be out speaking to residents in our communities, providing a reassuring presence and supplying helpful security information and advice. The After Dark initiative coincides with our commitment to tackle housebreaking across Scotland, ensuring that resources and support are in place, providing extra resilience in tracking down offenders of housebreaking and bringing them before the courts. Superintendent Kenny MacLeod said: “We understand that housebreaking crimes, including those from sheds, garages and outbuildings, is a concern within our communities especially at this time of year. Through Operation After Dark, we want to provide residents with information and advice on home security to help prevent them becoming a victim of crime and to keep people safe. “In addition, I want to reassure the public that we carry out targeted action against those who commit housebreakings. We have dedicated teams of officers who actively investigate any housebreakings in our area, arrest offenders and recover property so it can be reunited with its rightful owners. “The public can assist us in our efforts to tackle housebreaking in the Forth Valley area by ensuring they have home security measures in place and that they report any suspicious activity around homes, businesses and outbuildings to us immediately. By working with the support of the public and partner agencies, we will send out a clear message to thieves that we will identify you, find you and bring you before the courts.” Through Operation After Dark, Police Scotland offer the following advice to residents in the Forth Valley area: Opportunistic thieves prefer easy access to homes and sheds, so remember to keep your doors and windows securely locked at all times. It is important that your home looks occupied, so if you are out at night consider using timer switches on lights to deter the would be thief. If you are on holiday remember to cancel any deliveries that you get regularly that might indicate that you are not at home. Be careful of cold-callers at your door and before considering inviting them into your home, verify their identification carefully and note their name and any contact details. Please be aware that unscrupulous people may take advantage and once entry is gained and may steal high value items such as laptop computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices that are not hidden out of sight. Similarly keep these items away from windows, where they may prove tempting to the opportunistic thief. Avoid keeping large quantities of cash at home. If you need to, consider investing in a safe for storing cash, jewellery and valuable documents. A safe should be securely fixed to the structure of the building. If you don’t already have one, consider installing an alarm and remember to set it before leaving the house. More information on alarm systems can be found at the National Security Inspectorate at nsi.org.uk. If you have recently moved into your new home, consider changing the locks, as there may be people you are not aware of that may have access to keys for your home. In addition, take great care as to who you give house keys to, as copies can be made quickly and easily. Avoid putting your name, address or room number on any key-rings. If they are lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them to your home and property. For those who live in accommodation such as a block of flats, consider approaching your landlord or council to find out about installing a telephone entry system. Prevent intruders from getting access to the back and sides of your home, by installing strong fences and gates. Ensure gates are locked when not in use. Similarly fixing trellis to the tops of walls and fences can make it difficult for intruders to climb over. Sheds that do not have a lock can be fitted with a stout padlock. Keep contents out of view by boarding up windows are using curtains. Ensure that tools are tidied away, as they can be used by the thieves to overcome security. Consider using security lighting to illuminate paths and open areas. Be a good neighbour –report anyone in your area who seems to be acting unusually or suspiciously. If you do see anyone like this, note down their descriptions. If you see an unfamiliar vehicle in the area and you think its presence is suspicious try to note down the make model and registration number. If you do become a victim of this type of crime, there are measures in place that you can take to increase the chance that your goods will be returned to you if they are later recovered by police. Security mark your property with a UV marker pen. You can use this pen to place an invisible imprint of your postcode and house number on your possessions. Also consider placing a sticker on a conspicuous window of your home that lets people know that your possessions have been security marked, this will help to deter thieves. Officers ask that householders remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency call 999. More information is available on the Police Scotland website at scotland.police.uk
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 08:23:29 +0000
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