Holiday Preparedness – Avoid Burglaries

It’s the holiday season. In between planning end of year events, Christmas shopping and what to do for the summer break, you need to start thinking about how to make your home or business premises burglar-proof.

Counties Manukau Police say a few simple crime prevention steps can help stop you becoming a crime victim and burglary statistic. By taking a few minutes to ‘think like a thief’ you will be able to identify the tell-tale signs of security weaknesses in your home or place of business.

burglar imageCounties Manukau Police are leading an awareness campaign advising the public about what to do to secure their homes. They are also offering guidance to local business owners about how to protect their commercial properties.

Detective Senior Sergeant, Rod Honan of the Otahuhu Tactical Crime Unit says, with the onset of the Christmas period it is important for homeowners and businesses to remain alert and ensure their premises are secure from theft or burglary.

“With the introduction of Public Safety Teams there will be an increase of police officers patrolling problem areas. These include high risk commercial premises and residential areas. This will deter offenders who take advantage of opportune situations.”

The key safety messages that Counties-Manukau Police want to get across are:

Homeowners 

  • Lock your doors and windows.
  • Record the serial numbers of expensive electronic items and photograph these and other valuables
  • Keep valuables out of sight i.e. jewellery, cameras, electronic games.
  • Install an alarm system.
  • Get sensor lights fitted.
  • Keep garden sheds and garages locked when not in use – and make sure those ladders are tucked away.
  • Keep hedges or plants around doors and windows well trimmed – don’t give the burglar a place to hide.
  • Stop your mail and paper if you are going away or arrange for someone to collect it.
  • Keep the house secure when you are out in the garden or yard.
  • Use a chain on the door – don’t open the door to strangers, unless the chain is attached.
  • Note down registrations of any suspicious vehicles – often burglars will scope out a place beforehand.
  • Join or form a Neighbourhood Support Group. Your community constable will have some details.

Commercial premises

  • Have a monitored alarm system in place.
  • Install CCTV camera or surveillance system.
  • Report any incidents or break-ins no matter how minor.
  • Record serial numbers of electronic items and other expensive goods
  • Property mark your equipment.
  • If you are closing down for the Christmas period or an extended time frame, have someone check the premises regularly for break-ins. The offender may be tempted to come back more than once if they know no-one is checking!

For more information please visit the New Zealand Police website where a link can be found to the Neighbourhood Support New Zealand homepage. This can assist you in establishing your own Neighbourhood Support Group or put you in contact with an existing one.

A fact sheet containing the key safety messages as well as additional information about how to deal with unknown visitors can be accessed and printed. Click the following link to be directed to the Counties Manukau Police “Avoid Burglaries” leaflet.”

Police are always interested in suspicious activity. Don’t hesitate to call Police to report something out of the ordinary and, if you see a crime being committed, call 111.