While many Wanganui people are still enjoying their holidays there are also many who are preparing to go away, and Central District Police want to send a timely reminder to those people to make sure they secure their property and prevent it from being a window shopping haven for opportunistic burglars.
There is a lot of useful information and resources on how you can keep your home and car safe on the Police website and you can also visit your local police station and speak to them about how you can make your home safer and less desirable to burglars.
Protect yourself and your community by taking some simple steps:
- Make sure your house, vehicles, sheds and garages are secured at all times and use effective catches and locks.
- Don't leave a spare door key hidden outside.
- Invest in an alarm, quality deadlocks and security lighting.
- Keep valuables out of view.
- Make the house look lived in - put lights on automatic timers and have someone open and close curtains and take the post in.
- Make sure plants and trees are well trimmed - don't give thieves a place to hide.
- Mark your property so it can be easily identified if recovered
- Make a list of property and record serial numbers
- Take photos of unique items such as jewellery and ornaments
- Don't put empty boxes from new purchases out with the rubbish as it advertises what is in your house - take them to be recycled.
- Getting to know your neighbours is also effective in the fight against crime.
Have you or someone you know been affected by burglary this holiday season? We would like to hear your stories and rest assured we won't identify you. Please email us at news@wanganuichronicle.co.nz or call 06 349 0728.
