While You're away
Your home can be vulnerable to attack whilst you are away on holiday so you should think about what steps you can take to minimise the risk of being a victim of crime.
Cancel any deliveries you can, like milk and newspapers.
Ask a friend or trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home - perhaps collect mail, draw the curtains etc. Would they mind parking their car on your driveway overnight?
Ask a family member to stay at your home for a few nights while you are away.
Remember to uselight against crime. Set light timers to come on in the evening and use a light sensitive light bulb which will self-activate at night in an upstairs room.
Think about removing valuables from their usual place and hiding them in your home, perhaps placing your jewellery, car keys and ID documents in a safe or hiding them in the loft.
Before you go, make sure all doors, gates and windows are shut, locked and secure.
Check there are no tools left out in the garden that might assist an intruder breaking into your home. Check and service your house alarm before you set it.
All these measures give the impression that someone is at home - which reduces the risk of being broken into.
What about getting together with some neighbours and starting a Neighbourhood Watch? Contact your Local Police Station and ask to speak to the Local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.
Watch out! - There's a Bike Thief about!
Whether left outside the shop for one minute or left in your shed or garage - thieves will strike and steal your bike!
So what can we do? As a general rule - when you are not sat on your bike - it should be locked and secure.
When you leave your bike outside the shop, in your garden or in the shed - it should be locked to something solid like a post, bench or in the case of the shed - a ladder or steps. If there is nothing to lock it to - make sure you put your lock through the frame and a wheel to disable it (as pictured).
When buying locks of any kind - always look for the 'Sold Secure' symbol (shown below) which guarantees a quality product which has been attack tested and will withstand the average attack by a thief. Products range from bike locks and autolocks to ground anchors and garage defenders.
If you are leaving your bike for a long period - perhaps at your school/college, in addition to locking it to a fence or post, you should think about disabling your bike by taking the seat or wheel off and taking it with you.
Lastly, as with all your valuables - remember to mark your bike with your postcode and house number .You can also take a photograph of your bike!
Remember - lock it … or risk losing it!
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