Safe & Secure Week In Shropshire

Local policing teams will be out and about next week, offering security advice and security marking pedal cycles free of charge across Shropshire.

Posters are being put up in the county's towns and villages advertising where and when local constables and community support officers will be setting up stalls during Operation Protect: Safe & Secure Week, which begins on Monday (4 January).

Anyone is welcome to go along with their cycle, whatever their age. Local policing teams will also available to issue wider security advice, such as ways of protecting your home against burglars.

Always lock up or lock away an unattended bike, even if you are just leaving it for a few moments, as it takes just seconds for someone to pick up an unlocked bike and ride or push it away.

Police urge people to use a good quality lock and get the bike security marked, so if it is stolen and recovered, it can be returned to the owner.

Constable Tim Weaver, Crime Reduction Manager for Shropshire, said most burglaries and thefts were committed by opportunist thieves as a result of property having been left ‘vulnerable'.

"For example, up to half of all household burglaries are committed by thieves who enter through an unlocked door or open window," he said.

"There are plenty of relatively small measures people can take to help secure their homes, vehicles and property and drastically reduce the chance of becoming a victim."

Some of these hints and tips are as follows:

• Keep all doors and windows locked, even if popping out or leaving the room for a minute.
• Keep house and car keys in a safe place, well away from windows and doors.
• Fit British Standard deadlocks to all exterior doors.

• Set a timer plug to switch on lights in the house when you are not at home during the hours of darkness.
• Ensure garden fences, walls and gates are in good repair.
• Secure your shed and other outbuildings.
• Put away ladders and other tools so they cannot be used to break into your home.
• Security mark all valuables with your house number and postcode.

Operation Protect is West Mercia Police's ongoing campaign to tackle burglary, theft and associated crime, using both prevention advice and by targeting those suspected of committing offences.

Find out more home security tips and tricks in our Advice Centre.