Police Issue Warning About Open Doors and Windows During Heatwave
Residents Advised to Stay Alert to Prevent Burglary and Theft
West Mercia Police is urging residents to take precautions to protect their homes during the current heatwave. With temperatures rising, it’s tempting to leave doors and windows open to let in some fresh air. However, this can make homes vulnerable to burglaries and thefts.
To ensure home security, the police are advising people to keep front, patio, and back doors closed and locked when they are not in the same part of the house or garden. It’s also important to lock gates when away from the property and secure ground-floor windows and external doors at night.
Even a small window can provide an opportunity for burglars to reach through and open a larger window, so it’s crucial to keep all doors and windows locked when no one is home. Additionally, remember to shut downstairs windows when leaving a room to deter opportunistic thieves.
In addition to these measures, residents can explore property marking schemes like SmartWater, which makes stolen items harder for thieves to sell. It’s also encouraged to look after neighbors’ properties if they are away by joining the 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 resolving local issues. They rely on local members to report suspicious activity and keep an eye out for any unusual incidents.
For more information about Neighbourhood Watch, visit westmercia.police.uk/article/4529/Neighbourhood-Watch/. To access crime prevention advice, go to westmercia.police.uk/Home-security.
If you witness suspicious activity or need to report a crime, you can visit westmercia.police.uk/report or call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.