Residential burglaries

Residential burglaries

Community Safety Message: Residential Burglaries

We would like to make residents aware that there has been a recent increase in residential burglaries within the local area. We are encouraging everyone to take precautions to help protect their homes and property.

Many burglaries are opportunistic, with offenders targeting properties that appear easy to access or where valuables are visible. By making your home a harder target, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Home

🏠 Lock doors and windows

Ensure doors and windows are locked whenever you leave your property, even for a short period.

Remove keys from locks and keep them out of sight.

💡 Make your home look occupied

Use timer switches on lights when away from home.

Ask trusted neighbours to move bins, draw curtains, or collect post if you are on holiday.

📹 Consider home security measures

Install a video doorbell or CCTV system.

Fit security lighting to vulnerable areas around your property.

Consider a burglar alarm, whether audible or monitored.

🔒 Improve physical security

Upgrade door locks where appropriate.

Fit window locks on ground-floor and easily accessible windows.

Secure sheds, garages and side gates as these can provide offenders with tools or access points.

🌳 Manage your property

Keep hedges and shrubs maintained to reduce hiding places for offenders.

Ensure rear access routes are secured.

📱 Protect your valuables

Keep high-value items, wallets, handbags, keys and electronic devices out of sight.

Consider property marking and registering valuables with services such as Immobilise.

🤝 Look out for each other

Get to know your neighbours and report suspicious activity.

If something doesn't look right, trust your instincts and let police know.

If You Discover a Burglary

If you return home and believe you have been burgled, please be mindful that there may be valuable forensic opportunities which could help identify the offender.

Avoid touching doors, windows, gates, fences, or any point the offender may have used to gain entry.

Do not tidy up or move items unnecessarily until police have attended.

Preserve any discarded items that do not belong at the property.

If safe to do so, take note of anything unusual without disturbing the scene.

Contact police as soon as possible so that any forensic opportunities can be assessed and preserved.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you witness suspicious behaviour, unknown individuals paying unusual attention to properties, or vehicles repeatedly driving around residential areas without obvious reason, please report it via 101 or online. If a crime is in progress, or there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 999.

Working together as a community is one of the most effective ways to deter offenders and keep our neighbourhoods safe. A few simple security improvements and increased vigilance can make a significant difference in reducing opportunities for opportunistic criminals.

Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our communities safe

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Message Sent By
Ingrid Smith
(Staffordshire Police, PCSO, East Staffordshire)