If any tenant is a victim of a crime they should contact the Police, but also advise the Council of the problem.
It is likely that if a crime is perpetrated against a tenant whilst in their home, or whilst in the vicinity of their home, the person committing the crime, if also a tenant, may be in breach of their Conditions of Tenancy and it may be possible to either ensure that they do not repeat their actions or potentially that they could be evicted.
Another major crime is burglary. Most burglars are not master criminals. They're usually young men looking for an easy opportunity to get into a house without being seen.
Once they have been in and got away with it, they may be back again unless you do something. And there's lots you can do. Don't rely on one or two precautions. Here is a list of things that will help you beat the burglar!
Outside - Your First Line of Defence
1. Walls and Fences
High fences are hard to climb, but they give a burglar cover once he's over. So keep them low. The best fences have a trellis on top – they are more difficult to climb and give a better view of your garden from your neighbours' properties.
2. Lighting
Get an outdoor light with a sensor that comes on when someone's around, but make sure this does not shine into your neighbours' windows.
Is Anybody Home?
1. Lights
You can get plug-in timers for your lamps and you can replace your light switches with ones that have built-in timers so even your ceiling lights can come on and go off while you are out. Don't just light up one room. You can fool a burglar by having lights on timers in other rooms. If you have lights coming on and going off at random times this will make it look like someone is at home and moving from room to room.
2. Sound Advice
Use a plug-in timer for a radio - make it a talk station rather than music. Radio 4 is good - it lasts all night. Again this will make it appear that someone is at home.
3. Curtains
Get a trusted neighbour to shut the curtains if you're away. You could return the favour some time!
Help Yourself - Get Equipped
1. Mortice Locks
You can make your front and back doors even more secure by fitting five-lever mortice-locks and replacing ordinary 'Yale' type locks with dead-locking night latches, which although similar to a 'Yale' lock have a key slot on the inside so that you can lock them shut. Make sure any lock you put on meet British Safety Standard BS3621. Don't leave keys in easy reach of your letterbox, these will be easy to get at by a determined burglar. However, make sure you know where your keys are so that you can get out quickly in an emergency.
2. Window Locks
The best type for a wooden frame does not involve any of the window catches - it pulls the window onto the frame with a key. Fit two locks on a big window. Where the Council have fitted double glazing there are usually locks built into the handles and keys will have been provided. Again make sure you know where the keys are so that you can get out quickly in an emergency.
3. Double Glazing
The safest double glazing has bolts that shoot into the frame for extra security. Laminated glass is better than toughened because it stays in place when it's smashed - slowing a burglar down. It's safer for kids too because toughened glass shatters into tiny bits.
4. Patio Doors
Make these safer with a purpose-made lock or a security bar.
5. French Doors
If both of your French doors open, and you only fit a lock to one - the other is a weak point. Consider mortice bolts for the top and bottom of each door. Fit them into the frame - not the other door.
6. Keys
Keep spares with a neighbour, friend or relative - not in the house, unless in a safe. Never leave keys in the door.
7. Dogs
Don't just rely on your dog to protect your home. N.B. Tenants of Sheltered Housing are not usually permitted to have dogs.
8. House Alarms
When alarms sound, most burglars grab what they can and run for it. Whichever type of alarm you choose, get a qualified tradesman to fit it.
9. Safe
You can purchase at reasonable cost (less than replacing all the locks and keys to your home) a small safe in which to keep your personal papers (insurance policies & passports), small items of jewellery, other valuables and spare keys. If you do install a safe make sure it is securely fixed to a wall or floor. Most come with bolts to attach them to walls.
Keep Them Out
1. Doorstep Crooks
Some criminals won't go to the trouble of breaking into your home if they can just knock and be invited in. But don't get it out of proportion - you've probably had many genuine callers at your front door and not one trickster. Bogus callers come in all shapes and sizes: young kids, pregnant women, and men - from the overalled to the uniformed to the suited. Never let anybody you don't know into your home unless they have identification with their company name, photograph and personal name on it. If unsure ring up the company and ask them if the person works for them.
2. Bogus officials
Water board officials never need to come into your home to test water pressure or repair leaks - even in emergencies. If they ever do need to get in they must send you a letter first making an appointment. Gas and electricity meter readers want you to check their identity before you let them in. If in doubt, ring up and check. Genuine callers don't mind this in the least. Keep the phone numbers handy. Shut the door while you're checking - genuine callers don't mind! You could always join the password scheme so the meter reader gives you an arranged password when they call.
3. Look Before You Open
Always look to see who's at the door before you open it. Consider fitting one or more of the following: -
- Door Viewer
If your front door doesn't have glass, fit a spy-hole. Or get into the habit of looking through a window near the door to see who is calling.
- Door Light
An outside light over the door will help you see a caller in the dark.
- Door Chain
If you need to open the door to make further checks, use a door chain or similar device.
Remember.
- don't let people in until you know who they are
- keep the door locked while you check their story
- if you let someone in, stay with them all the time
- never part with money or other things, whatever they say
- If suspicious - ring the Police
- get more than one estimate for work
- official organisations usually write first
- check identity cards thoroughly
- don't let callers put pressure on you to let them in;
- If in doubt - Keep Them Out!
Coded for Keeps
1. Ultra-violet Marking
UV marker pens cost about £1 from stationers and security shops. Use them to put your postcode and house number in invisible ink on the bottom of your valuables. If your things are found, the police can read your details under UV light and get things back to you. Redo this every year, as the writing fades.
2. Photographs
For small items like jewellery, photograph them against a ruler. A picture is worth a thousand words!
Gardens and Sheds
1. Shed Security
Remember to postcode anything of value in your shed. Your lawn mower will be harder for the burglar to sell on with your house number and postcode painted across it.
2. Padlocks
A good quality padlock - and the hasp and staple that go with it - is important on all sheds and garage side-doors. It's best to bolt the hasp and staple to the door and frame for extra strength. Use a hasp and staple that covers the screwheads when closed – this will stop anyone from removing it easily.
3. Screw Heads
Smear glue over the heads of screws or use anti-tamper screws.
4. Bicycles
Lock bikes to something fixed or bulky like a ladder or workbench.
5. Garden Tools
Don't leave them lying around the garden, a burglar could use them to break in.
Home Watch
Protecting your home is fine, but you will enjoy greater security and peace of mind if everyone around is working with you. An enthusiastic Neighbourhood Watch Scheme will deter burglars. Contact your local police station for details of existing schemes and their contacts or for help setting one up.
And Remember. Prevention is better than cure.
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