DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR THIEVES TO BREAK INTO A LIFE OF CRIME- TAKE THE BURGLARY CHALLENGE
28 August 2007
Reporters are to be given the opportunity to spot potential break-in points in a house in Gloucester this Thursday in a bid to highlight summer insecurity issues.
The house will be set up with plenty of visual clues- in a bid to highlight easy break in spots and so hopefully encourage householders to avoid such pitfalls.
This Burglary Challenge had been organised by Gloucester’s Crime and Reduction Partnership (CDRP) as part of its participation in the Changing Lives Making Communities Safer Campaign. This is a Home Office campaign, which aims to show communities the work being done to tackle crime, drugs, anti-social behaviour and alcohol misuse in their communities.
The CDRP’s crime reduction officer Pc Kevin Ireland said: "The good news for Gloucester citizens is that reported domestic burglary is down within the city. However the public should not become complacent. Many of the burglaries reported to us are as a result of insecurities, such as windows and doors being left open."
He added: "The message is keep your doors and windows secure when you are out and we hope to get this message across by challenging journalists to spot potential break- in points this Thursday."
The CDRP has been active in promoting home security recently and has produced a display in the City Centre Library, Brunswick Road. The first display highlights top tips to avoid break-ins and the second concentrates on warning householders about the dangers of bogus callers in the light of the recent flooding.
Pat Dabbs, the CDRP’s, Community Safety Officer said: "In the light of the recent flooding we are warning house holders to be on the look out for bogus callers offering their services. Either people who may take the opportunity to steal items while they are in your house, or rogue tradesmen offering to undertake work after the flood damage and charging exorbitant amounts for shoddy work."
She added: "The message is always to be extra vigilant with callers at the door, check identification and credentials of tradesmen, even if it means closing the door whilst you telephone the company. If, once residents have done this, they are still suspicious they should ring the police using the 999 emergency number."
Further advice is available on the CDRP website interactive crime prevention page www.gloscrimereduction.org.uk
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