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Crime Prevention

On this month’s Crime Prevention segment Sergeant Graham Kavanagh offered burglary prevention advice, with a focus on the potential impact that the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions may have. A year on from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic Graham explained that many property crimes have reduced due to a lack of opportunity. Graham reminded viewers of the elements required to commit a crime and encouraged the public to be vigilant by implementing the following burglary prevention advice: 

The three elements required for a crime to occur:

  • A suitable environment / location
  • A motivated offender
  • A lack of a capable guardian / Victim

Crime-TriangleWithout any one of these elements a crime cannot occur. It is clear that because more of us are at home during the pandemic the environment to commit a crime was not suitable for burglars.

Conversely as the restrictions are lifted in the coming months we will be leaving our homes for longer periods. The opportunities for burglars will increase as they too can travel further distances. They will be looking for easy opportunities and properties that appear unoccupied and unsecure will be targeted. 

The burglary prevention advice as always is:

  1. Secure all doors and windows
  2. Light up your home and use timer switches when out
  3. Store keys safely and away from windows & letterboxes
  4. Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home
  5. Use your alarm, even when at home
  6. Be alert to online and telephone scams and do not share personal or financial data 

Homeowners are encouraged to check their homes for any security deficiencies using the checklist challenge audit.

Crime Prevention advice on securing your home is available here