Make sure your home is secure this autumn

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Autumn is here and the clocks have gone back, meaning the afternoons will now be darker, creating opportunities for criminals.

In previous years residential burglaries have increased during the autumn, as many homes are left unlit, which can alert burglars to properties that are empty.

To help keep your home secure Hertfordshire Constabulary is sharing advice on how residents can keep their homes and valuables safe.

Detective Superintendent Ant Alcock, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: ‘Taking care of your home security is essential at any time of the year, but during the autumn and winter months burglars are especially active. Burglary rates have begun to rise in some areas and once the clocks go back this trend is likely to continue. Burglary is a priority for us, and we will always attend if your home is burgled to provide support and conduct a thorough investigation with forensic specialists.

‘Making sure your home appears occupied is the best way to deter burglars. This can easily be achieved by using a timer to switch on a light when it gets dark. Many home energy apps now offer a feature to automatically switch lights on at specific times. Securing windows and double-locking PVCu doors, by lifting the handle and turning the key to engage all the safety features, also makes your home more secure. We have also seen a trend in burglars accessing homes via upstairs windows, so please ensure you lock all windows before leaving home.

Residents can make their homes more secure by following some basic crime prevention advice such as:

  • Lock all doors and windows, including upstairs windows, and ensure any PVCu doors are locked properly by lifting the handle and using the key to double-lock them.
  • Consider installing a doorbell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.
  • Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches or wi-fi plugs/systems in your home to control internal lights, radios and a simulated TV.
  • Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.
  • Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed.
  • Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows.
  • Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables as burglars often check to see if doors are left unlocked.
  • Look out for your neighbours especially if they are vulnerable, by reporting any suspicious activity you notice in your area.

For more advice visit Herts Police’s crime prevention pages.

Join the new community messaging platform Herts Connected at hertsconnected.co.uk where you will receive free local police messages. You can also choose to receive messages from Neighbourhood Watch, Action Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner if that’s what you select when you sign up.

You can report suspicious activity in your area or information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.