Police are promoting home security advice after a spate of burglaries in villages across Gedling borough.
Homes in Burton Joyce, Ravenshead and Gedling Village were broken into by intruders in the last week.
Two offences were reported on Regina Crescent, Ravenshead where offenders forced entry to residential properties by damaging doors and windows. Over on Wood Lane in Gedling offenders also forced open a window at a rural property before stealing Jewellery and cash. Other break-ins were reported at properties in Burton Joyce.
Police said in all cases it looked like doors or windows have been forced open in order to steal property including cash, power tools, a bicycle, snowboard and speaker.
Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our lines of enquiry are ongoing into these incidents and we are working hard to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Police warn that most domestic burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves looking for the easiest way of getting into your home without being seen or disturbed.
The advice says: “Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar. Are there places where a burglar could break into your home without being seen? How would you get in if you had forgotten your keys? If you could get inside, so could a burglar.”
Follow this police advice to keep your home secure…
- In the winter as the nights get darker earlier, leave a light on inside your home. Remember to choose low energy lamps. Use a timer switch to operate the lights as it starts to get dark. Change the times that the lights come on to simulate an occupied home. Make sure your front door is well lit. Use dusk to dawn lighting that automatically comes on as it gets dark.
- Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
- When you go out, always close and lock external doors and windows, even if you are just going out for a short time.
- Fit a five-lever mortice lock (British Standard 3621) to all exterior wooden doors. If you are having new windows or doors installed, ensure they are certified to PAS 24:2016 standard for Enhanced security performance requirements for doorsets and windows in the UK.
- UPVC or composite doors have multipoint-locking systems, but it is strongly recommended they are fitted with an anti-snap lock cylinder (TS007) of 3* standard as a minimum.
- Window locks can be seen from outside and could deter a burglar from forcing the window.
- If you have deadlocks, use them. They make it more difficult for a thief to get out again. But don’t leave the key near the door or in an obvious place nearby.
- If you have a flat roof extension the windows above it should always be locked
- Ensure your keys are kept in a safe place out of sight and well away from your letterbox
- Don’t tag keys so they can be easily identified.
- Keep all spare keys in a safe place. Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed.
- Consider buying a safe for personal papers, passports and small items of jewellery. This must be secured to the floor or a wall
- Never leave garages or sheds unlocked, especially if they connect to your property.
- Visible burglar alarms and carefully directed security lighting can deter burglars. Make sure alarms stop sounding after 20 minutes and lights don’t disturb your neighbours.
