| Lock it or Lose it! Police encourage residents to remember home security during the hot weather With temperatures soaring across North Hampshire, and people out enjoying the lovely weather, it may be tempting to open all your windows and doors at home just to cool down. However, burglars love this weather too.
We’ve seen several burglary incidents over the past week where insecurity has been a factor – whether that’s a door left unlocked while residents are in the garden or windows left open overnight.
In the Andover district, there were four burglaries in the last week where offenders either entered through open patio doors or were able to reach in through open ground floor windows to grab valuables. One of these happened on July 18, where a burglar walked into a flat in Woodlands Way, Andover, via open doors while the resident was asleep on the sofa. Once inside the offender stole bank cards and mobile phones. In the Hart and Rushmoor district, there were four burglaries where windows or doors where left open or unlocked. During the early hours of July 17, a man was disturbed in a house in Elston Road, Aldershot after he had gained entry via an open ground floor window. In the Basingstoke and Deane district there were also four burglaries where offenders gained access via open doors and windows. On July 18, an elderly woman reported that a man had entered her home via an open front door. It is believed a small amount of cash may have been stolen. In the Winchester and East Hampshire district, there have also been four burglaries where insecurity has been a factor. On July 19, police received a report of a burglary at a house on Bury Lodge Lane in Hambledon during which cash was stolen. Access was gained through an open window. Hampshire Constabulary offers the following crime prevention advice – · Keep ground floor or accessible windows shut and locked in rooms you are not using · Don’t leave doors and patios doors open · Remember to lock up properly before going to bed · Remember insurance companies often will not pay out if a burglary is a result of an insecurity · If you are taking the opportunity to do some DIY to the house, don’t leave ladders and tools out. Keep them locked up · Make sure you lock side or rear gates into your garden · Do not do business at the door. Often companies who tout at the door for gardening and home improvements turn out to be bogus · If you are in the back garden having a barbeque party, don’t be tempted to leave the front door open for your visitors to let themselves in · If you are going out for the evening remember to use a timer switch on a lamp or radio to give the impression someone is home · Hot weather is a good opportunity to get out cycling. Remember to lock your bike using a decent ‘D’ lock even if leaving for a couple of minutes · Remember to shut car windows and sunroofs even if parked on your drive. · If you are outside gardening, don’t be tempted to leave doors and accessible windows open. · If you are working in the front garden, remember not to leave expensive power tools lying around, even if just for a couple of minutes · Scrap metal has a high value, be careful leaving barbeques in the front garden, they may be taken · Check the security of sheds and garages and make sure it is adequate · Whilst working on the garden, make sure you check boundary fences and walls to ensure they are in good order · Take the hot weather as an opportunity to ensure garden statues are appropriately anchored and padlock hanging baskets to their support · If you are buying new garden tools or outside equipment mark with your house number and postcode and register for free at www.immobilise.com Crime prevention advisor Graeme Barbour said: “While we appreciate that a lot of this advice may seem like common sense, if you think back to what you did this weekend and how secure you think your home was, it may surprise you.
“It’s easy to get carried away enjoying a barbecue in your back garden and forget that your front door is unlocked. Or that your iPad is sitting on the table in easy reach of an open window.
“We just want you to think about keeping your homes and valuables secure to help try and prevent you and your family becoming victims of crime.” | 
