Residents in Chester le Street are being urged to protect their property from opportunistic thieves.
Think about it, a house which is in darkness can look empty to an opportunistic criminal, an unlocked door can lead to an opportunity?
As part of Durham Constabulary’s Winter Nights campaign, people are being urged to take simple steps to secure their homes to help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime.
Sergeant Pat Pygall, from Chester le Street Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “All too often people are making their homes attractive to burglars and thieves by leaving them unlocked or in darkness. Residents can take a few simple steps to reduce this risk and protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime.”
Follow these tips to keep your home safe:
• Lock all windows and doors – even if you’re at home.
• A well-lit home gives the impression someone is in.
• Leave a light on or use timer switches so lights come on when it gets dark.
• Don’t leave valuables on show.
• Don’t leave your house and vehicle keys in the lock or on a side table in view of a window, making it easy for a thief to fish them through your letterbox.
• If you have a house alarm, use it.
• Contact your local neighbourhood police team if you see anything suspicious in your area.
As part of the campaign, residents are also being reminded to always lock their vehicles when leaving them unattended and remove all valuables from sight.
“Vehicles left unattended with valuables left on display or unlocked are a magnet for criminals, who will often try a number of car door handles until they find one that has been left open, It only takes a few seconds to make sure you’ve locked the door, but it could mean the difference between having your car or valuables stolen”.
During the campaign, officers will be patrolling key hotspot areas which have seen an increase in burglaries and thefts from vehicles.
Officers will be providing reassurance to residents, gathering intelligence challenging suspicious activity and targeting known offenders.
To report any suspicious activity in your area, contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you would like to discuss this issue or have any other concerns, please come along to your PACT meeting or attend one of our community events as advertised on Facebook.
If you have any concerns that need addressing why not come along to your next PACT meeting on Wednesday 16th January at 18:00 at Chester Moor Communal Room or February 6th at 19:30 at Garden Farm Hotel, Carlingfoird Road.
You can also Email
PCSO 7095 Brian Donnelly brian.donnelly@durham.pnn.police.uk
PCSO 7994 Rhian Stocks rhian.stocks@durham.pnn.police.uk