The Counties Manukau Police is working hard to prevent burglaries at home so that our communities can be safer and more secure.
We have recently released a leaflet that provides a few guidelines to prevent such offences. We are confident that this article would also be a useful tool to achieve that objective.
A number of small but important precautions should enable our homes to be safer. These are (a ) Lock your doors and windows (b) Record the serial numbers of jewellery and expensive electronic items, photographs and other valuables (c) Keep valuables out of sight (d) install an alarm system (e) Get sensor lights fitted (f) Keep garden sheds and garages locked when not in use and make sure that the ladders are tucked away.
You should also stop your mail and newspaper being delivered if you are going away or arrange for someone to collect them.
Keep the house secure when you are out in the garden or yard; use a chain on the door and do not open the door to strangers, unless the chain is attached.
It is advisable to note the registration number of any suspicious vehicles seen around your house; often, burglars scope out a place beforehand.
Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Support Group.
You should always take care when leaving empty boxes outside your home. They can visibly reveal to others, details of valuable items recently purchased, such as television, which could be an incentive for a burglar to break into your property.
Make sure that your home contents are fully insured to the current value
SNAP Partnership
The Serial Number Action Partnership (SNAP) aims to prevent burglary and property offending, and make it harder for criminals to sell stolen goods.
Register and store the serial numbers of valuables online (www.snap.org.nz).
The website allows you to enter and maintain details of all your important assets. If your items are stolen, you can instantly retrieve the details, and forward them to the Police and your insurance company.
This service is free of charge.
Anonymity assured
If you receive any information about suspects for a burglary or any other crime that has previously been committed in your neighbourhood or elsewhere, and you are uncomfortable about approaching the Police, you can anonymously report to Crime stoppers on 0800-555111 or fill a form at www.crimestoppers-nz.org
You can help keep your street safe, reporting anything suspicious you see, prevent crime and protect the community.
Constable Gurpreet Arora is South Asian Liaison Officer at Counties Manukau Police based in South Auckland.
