Darker Nights

Darker Nights mean it is easier for thieves to target your property so follow our advice to keep your home safe after dark.

Your Home

Most housebreakings are carried out by opportunist thieves – so take away the opportunity and keep your home and possessions safe.

Lock the Door

Obvious isn’t it? But some people don’t do it. Lock the door even if you’re only out for a short time. If you have window locks, lock those too. Get into the habit of locking the door when you are at home. This stops people coming in if you are in another part of the house or garden.

Keep Your Keys out of Sight

Don’t leave your keys on the inside of locks or just inside the door. If you have a spare key, don’t leave it under a mat, plant-pot or other easy to spot place at home. Never keep house keys and car keys on the same ring. Make it as hard as possible to break into your home or to steal your car.

Make Your House Look Occupied

Away from home? Use timers on lights and radios so that it seems like there’s someone at home. If you are going away on holiday, avoid announcing this publicly on social media.

Show People That Your Property Is Secure

Thieves are put off by visible security alarms and carefully directed security lighting. Just make sure they don’t disturb your neighbours by going off unnecessarily.

Valuables and Cash

Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in the house.

Further Information

• Neighbourhood Watch: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk
• Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk

Original Message Sent By Michael Urquhart (Police, Constable, North East Division)