Police Issue Warning About Open Doors and Windows During Heatwave
Residents Urged to Stay Safe and Secure
In light of the current heatwave, the police have issued a warning to residents about the potential risks of leaving doors and windows open when they are not at home or in another part of the house.
While it’s understandable that people would want to air their homes during the hot weather, doing so could make them vulnerable to burglary and theft.
West Mercia Police is reminding everyone to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their homes.
The police are urging residents to keep their front, patio, and back doors closed and locked when they are elsewhere in the house or garden. It is also important to keep gates locked when away from the property and ensure that windows and external doors on the ground floor are locked at night.
Even a small window can provide an opportunity for burglars to reach through and open a larger window, gaining access to the house. Therefore, it is crucial to keep all doors and windows locked when no one is at home.
Additionally, it is advised to close downstairs windows when leaving a room to deter opportunistic thieves.
Residents can also learn more about property marking schemes like SmartWater, which makes stolen items harder for thieves to sell.
The police are also encouraging residents to look after their neighbor’s property if they are away by joining their local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators play a vital role in keeping the community informed about criminal activity, providing crime prevention advice, and helping to resolve local issues.
Local members are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity they observe.
For more information about Neighbourhood Watch, visit westmercia.police.uk/article/4529/Neighbourhood-Watch/.
To learn more about crime prevention advice, visit westmercia.police.uk/Home-security.
If you witness any suspicious activity or need to report a crime, you can visit westmercia.police.uk/report or call 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.