Surrey Police has launched its annual Operation Candlelight campaign to educate residents on what they can do to protect their home from opportunist burglars during the autumn and winter months.
Launched yesterday (Monday, 14 October), the six week campaign aims to help householders get into the mind of a burglar and understand what they look out for prior to committing a burglary.
Traditionally there is a rise in burglary offences over the period of time which the campaign will run due to darker nights and increased spending over the Christmas period. By encouraging residents to see their property from a burglar’s point of view, officers are hoping to influence a long-term behavioural change and reduce overall burglary offences.
As part of the campaign, Surrey Police will be carrying out additional operational activities targeting high risk areas which include locations in all sides of the county.
Detective Superintendent John Boshier, the Force lead for burglary, said:
“Although Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK, we traditionally see an increase in burglaries during the autumn and winter months, this is most likely caused by the longer, darker evenings which increase a burglar’s opportunity to go about their criminal activity.
“Taking simple steps such as leaving lights on or on a timer, registering your property with a company such as Immobilise as well as photographing any expensive or unusual items such as jewellery and placing stickers in your windows to let people know your property is marked could be all it takes to make an opportunist burglar decide it is not worth their while targeting your property.
“Keeping your house and car keys out of sight is another step which will take a minute to do but would save you a lot of time if it prevented you from becoming a burglary victim.
“In the run up to Christmas and New Year can be a busy time so if possible when out in public avoid discussing times which you will be away from your home and remember not to leave gifts on show whether they are wrapped or not.
“Being burgled can have a hugely detrimental effect on the victim and we will not tolerate this kind of offence in our communities and we hope by working the Surrey community we will be able to prevent more people becoming victims.”
You can dramatically reduce the chances of being burgled by taking just a few simple measures:
- Never leave door or car keys, wallets or handbags within reach of a letterbox, door or window
- Make your house look occupied when nobody is home by using an automatic timer to switch interior lights on and off
- Set your burglar alarm whenever you leave your home. If you don’t have an alarm, we recommend you get one fitted
- Always close your windows when you are out, and ensure French windows and patio doors are secure
- Dispose of packaging carefully. Empty boxes left outside can advertise to thieves what they can find inside
- Going away? Cancel milk, newspapers and other regular deliveries and ask a friend or local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to keep an eye on your home
- Mark your valuables with a property marking product and place signs and stickers around your home, making it clear that your property is marked. Photograph your valuables and keep a description of them
- Always secure your shed and garage and don’t leave ladders or other tools outside which could help a burglar gain access to your house.
For more information about registering your property online visit http://www.immobilise.com/.
Advice on how to keep your home safe can be obtained from your local Crime Reduction Advisor on 101 or by visiting http://www.surrey.pnn.police.uk/.
Following @SurreyPolice throughout the campaign for further advice and helpful tips and #GiveAThiefGrief for Operation Candlelight news.
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