The Festive Season is well underway!!!

This time of year is so joyful. Catching up with old friends and distant relations. Finding those wonderfully thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Celebrating Christmas with your family traditions.

It is also a HUGE time of year for shopping and spending.  The rise of online shopping means people aren’t going to town centre’s and shopping centre’s as much. Spending, however, is still through the roof.  All of this is VERY appealing to thieves.  Whether it’s people targeting shoppers out there on the high street or planning to break into people’s homes, the risks are always higher this time of year.

Here at 4Forces we want to urge everyone not to overlook the things that can make life easier for these people.  So we are sharing our top tips on keeping the burglers at bay this Christmas.

Top Tips

One for the ladies. Take advantage of the free jingle bells that are often given out by the police in local supermarkets etc., Just attach to your purse and the lovely jingle sound makes you more aware if someone is trying to grab your purse.  Always a helpful tip when you have tons of bags on your arms!  You can also buy these jingle bells for a couple of quid online.

PUT YOUR HOUSE ALARM ON!! – So many people have house alarms and don’t put them on.  An alarm sounding will usually always draw attention to your property and scare anyone trying to get in.

DON’T put your outside Christmas lights through windows.  The little gaps left in many windows when people put lights through is always an easy target for anyone scouting your premises to break in.

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR BOXES! Yep, potential thieves will go through your rubbish and recycling.  If they see boxes for pricey items such as play stations, tablets or mobile phones they know there are goods inside to make it worth their while.  Try to avoid putting these into the recycling until it’s collection day to minimise risk.

Got outbuildings? Invest in some decent locks.  Yes a padlock can be broken, however a big, sturdy padlock will deter theives.  This is usually because it’s much more effort (and noise) trying to break through one of the strong padlocks as opposed to the cheap flimsy one’s.

DO NOT LEAVE KEYS IN AN EASY ACCESS PLACE.  There are literally so many people who leave house keys and car keys on a table.  Even a key hook right by the door. Thieves are pretty handy and will find anything to poke through and grab these, extendable grabber arms being a favourite.

AVOID LEAVING KEYS IN YOUR IGNITION WHILE DEFROSTING.  These is always a big rise in this opportunistic type of robbery every winter.  Thousands of people will leave the keys in the car to warm up whilst they nip back in the house.  You may think ‘oh it’s on my drive so it’s safe.’  Nope… the chance is there and believe me someone lurking around for just this moment will easily seize it.

TRY TO AVOID LEAVING YOUR HOUSE UNATTENDED WHEN POSSIBLE.  Although not the most practical tip as people have to go to work etc., If you have lot’s of evening plans and parties over the festive period try asking one of the kids, or a relative to pop by and house sit for a while.  Ask a trusted neighbour to pop in a few times and turn on some lights at night if you are away for longer period of time.  We have all seen home alone and you can bet there is a few Marv and Harry’s hanging around scoping out the big houses over Christmas.

GIFTS ON THE BACK SEAT IS A BIG NO! If you are doing a big shop & having to bring gifts back to the car whilst you shop for more, please remember to put these in the boot NOT on the back seats.  Shopping bags teaming with presents on display in a car is asking for trouble.

BE VIGILANT.  Keep your eyes open for any strange but regular vehicles you see parked in different places in your street.  Have a look out the window every now and then to see if there are any strange folk hanging around.  Keep an eye out on neighbours premises and report anything that seems dodgy.

Most importantly – ALWAYS, ALWAYS LOCK YOUR DOORS, WINDOWS AND CARS.  

Enjoy a lovely Christmas

We hope our top tips are of use and remind you of a few simple things you can do to make sure your Christmas is not ruined.  Pass these onto your friends and family to make sure they are doing everything they can to keep themselves and their properties secure.

Above all – Enjoy your Christmas! Share the love, think of others and don’t eat too many mince pies!!!

Season’s Greetings from all at 4Forces!