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Shopping Safely and Sensible

  • Be aware of your belongings when you’re in a crowd - there may be pickpockets around.
  • Put your purse or wallet away before leaving the till - don’t let staff or other customers rush you. Take care at the ATM - be wary of people standing too close for comfort – try and use an ATM inside the bank.
  • If you shop online, check out the site’s payment methods and the security they offer - many sites can take orders over the phone if you don’t want your details floating around in the ether.

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Using the Car

  • Park in a busy and well-lit area.
  • Leave personal and valuable items at home.
  • If you must have them in the car, store them in the boot before you leave.
  • Don’t store your bought goods in the car and then return to the shops for more - you don’t know who may be watching in the car park.
  • Late night shopping may be more convenient, but do take care and take someone with you if possible.

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Protecting Your Home

  • This is a great time to give your home a security health-check.
  • Check outdoor security lights and replace blown bulbs.
  • Check padlocks, hasps and hinges on your outside doors.
  • Many people have freezers in the garage - Christmas food and alcohol is vulnerable – and don’t forget new bicycles!
  • Has your house alarm been serviced recently?
  • If you don’t have an alarm, you can always buy a battery operated single room alarm to protect your hallway, shed or garage.

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Protecting Your Home

  • Use timer switches to operate lights and radios tuned to a talk radio station in the house when you are out.
  • Although the tree looks lovely in the window, don’t leave the lights on and curtains open when you go out - and don’t leave presents under the tree!
  • After Christmas, dispose of boxes and packaging carefully - don’t leave them on the roadside or on the top of the wheelie bin.

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Unexpected Visitors

  • Bogus Callers: pretending to be from a utilities company (water, gas, electricity, phone, even police).
  • Distraction Burglars: one will keep you at your door with an excuse (eg, looking for an address or a lost ball/dog) while an accomplice commits the burglary round the back.
  • Cold Callers: hard-sell sales reps who turn up without an appointment and won’t leave till you have signed a contract.
  • Rogue Traders: unqualified workmen offering to do jobs on your home, often badly and very expensively.

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Genuine Unexpected Visitors

  • Utilities staff with ID regarding emergency repairs.
  • Political groups canvassing for election purposes.
  • Charity collectors with ID and charity number.
  • Emergency Services staff on production of warrant card or official identification.
  • Religious groups and carol singers.
  • People delivering business flyers.
  • Whoever it is, before you answer the door, check all back doors and windows are closed - if it’s a genuine caller, they won’t mind waiting a few extra seconds.

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Property Marking - Why?

  • Acts as a deterrent to thieves as it makes selling stolen goods on very difficult.
  • Increases the chances of your property being returned to you.
    Helps the police build a strong case against the offender.
  • Many different ways of property marking: UV pen: electrical items, bikes, etc Etching: power tools and equipment Microdot/SmartWater: vehicles, bikes, trailers, etc.
  • Use your house number/name and postcode.

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