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stay safe this christmas
Humberside Police have given some useful advice to help stop you becoming a victim of crime this Christmas.
Don't make it easy for an opportunist thief to steal from your home or your car.
- While shopping, be careful not to leave any valuable items on show in your car while it's left unattended.
- When you have bought your presents, make sure you keep them out of sight either until last thing on Christmas Eve and if you hide or store larger items such as bicycles in the shed or outbuildings, make sure they are very secure.
- Check your insurance to make sure you are covered for the value of goods in your home. Take the frame numbers of new cycles and the serial numbers of new electrical equipment for future reference. Remember, empty boxes left outside advertise that you have new goods inside so get rid of packing carefully.
- If you go out for the evening make it look like someone is at home by turning on lights and the radio. Don't leave curtains open so people can see your decorations, as potential thieves can see in. Be extra careful about locking doors and windows.
- As a fire precaution, don't leave Christmas lights on in the house while you are out.
- If you go away for the holiday period, look at using an automatic timer for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home. Don't forget to cancel newspapers and milk if you have them delivered and either redirect your mail through the Post Office or have your neighbour take mail into the house. Unopened Christmas cards and mail are a sure sign that a house is empty.
- As always, be careful of strangers at the door. Genuine delivery people usually have uniforms and liveried vehicles and should not need to come into your home. Charity collectors will have identification and will not be offended if you ask to see it. If you are not sure but want to make a donation, ask whether these can be made in other ways, perhaps through a bank.
- Look to invest in a property marking kit such as Smartwater in order to pre-mark any items of value to protect them in the event of a crime taking place.
- With office parties and general Christmas celebrations, pubs, restaurants and other venues are often crowded. Don't leave bags over the back of your chair and keep wallets and purses close to your body to make it more difficult for the pickpocket. Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief, so be alert at all times.
- Before you go, make arrangements as to how you will get home. Avoid any potential disturbances on the street. Stay with friends if you can. Avoid the temptation to take a minicab on the street even if you are having difficulty getting a cab. It is illegal for minicabs to take passengers who have not pre-booked. Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back. Don't drink too much, you could become a target for thieves.
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Registered Charity Number 1107876. |
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