Don't Be In The Dark About Home Security

British Summer Time will soon be coming to an end and West Mercia Police is reminding residents to protect themselves against burglary as the dark nights draw in.

Today (19 October) marks the start of a week of action across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire to raise awareness of crime prevention tactics and arrest those who make other people’s lives a misery.

Following on from the success of Operation Protect in April this year the force has decided to have another week dedicated to action on burglary. Most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves and West Mercia’s Lighten Up campaign aims to provide residents with simple home security advice for the autumn and winter months.

Detective Superintendent Steve Cullen, Force Crime Manager, said: “In reality less than one per cent of homes are burgled each year in West Mercia. However we can see from the results of our Crime and Safety survey that domestic burglary is one of the main issues which causes concern among our communities. Fear of burglary causes householders anxiety and there are some simple steps people can take, such as better lighting, to help address those fears.”

Posters and leaflets are being distributed in local communities to spread the good advice and thousands of residents have already received electrical timer switches; burglars traditionally target unlit homes. A highly visible mobile advertising van will appear across West Mercia this week to reinforce the Lighten Up messages. The van will start its journey today in Shropshire.

Det Supt Cullen added: “Levels of crime in West Mercia are low but we want to make them even lower. The force is committed to targeting persistent burglars and bringing them to justice to ensure local communities remain a safe place to live and work.”

Home Security advice is available in our Advice Centre.

Anyone worried about leaving a light on is urged to help save money and the planet by using low energy lightbulbs which cost less than 2pence a day to run (if left on for four hours). External lighting is also a good crime prevention method to deter criminals and locks on doors and windows should be used as much as possible. Secure gates and fences can also help protect your property from burglars.