New year security urged to combat sneak-in burglars



Issued by North Yorkshire Police

York police want residents to make at least one new year resolution this year – to lock their doors and keep their windows secure.

While tackling and preventing burglary remains a major priority for North Yorkshire Police, officers are urging residents to do their bit and ensure their properties are secure.

This does not have to mean spending a fortune on lights and alarms, something as simple as locking your doors and leaving a light on can help deter an opportunist, sneak-in burglar. Around 30% of all burglaries reported to North Yorkshire Police are through unlocked doors and windows.

The warning comes as another burglar was arrested and charged to court. 29-year-old John William Connolly of no fixed address, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court this morning (2 January 2013) charged with burglaries on Tamworth Road and Lawnswood Road in York on 17 December 2012.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at York Crown Court on 9 January 2013.

Students returning from their Christmas break are also being encouraged to make sure their accommodation is secured at all times.

Follow our basic tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime:

• Remember to lock all your doors and windows, even if you are at home (make sure you know where the keys are)
• Don’t advertise your Christmas presents by leaving the packaging outside for all to see, rip it up and bin it or take it to the tip.
• Leave a light on when you go out – use a timer switch – a 20 watt low energy bulb costs 2p for four hours
• Hide all your valuables – including car keys – away from prying eyes.
• Fit outside security lighting
• Remove all tools, ladders and other implements from your garden as these can be used to break into your property
• Review your boundary security, make sure your gates and fences are in good condition and that outbuildings, sheds and gates have sturdy locks.
• Be nosey – report any suspicious people or vehicles in your neighbourhood. Many crimes are thwarted and people arrested after members of the public report unusual or suspicious activity to the police.
• Review your locks, upgrade your Euro-cylinder locks to one that is specifically designed to prevent lock snapping, known as Break Secure.
• Add up the value of all your belongings, then work out how much you spend on keeping them secure. It’s likely very little in comparison.

For more detailed crime prevention information, please see the Crime prevention and safety advice section of our website.

Ring North Yorkshire Police on 101 to report a crime. If you see a crime in progress or your safety is threatened, always dial 999.

Or you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



This content has not been created by YorkMix but by one of our trusted news sources. YorkMix is not responsible for the accuracy of the text.