|
Dear Resident, As the count down to Christmas begins - please be vigilant of criminals attempting to steal your Christmas. Here are a few ways in which you can protect yourself from falling victim to their mischief: Decorate Sensibly - If you are decorating the exterior of your home do not make the common mistake of feeding extension cables through partially open windows; criminals know to look for this vulnerability. When it comes to outdoor lighting, if you don't have an external plug outlet, opt for solar or battery-operated lights instead. Recycle Cautiously - Bin collections over the Christmas and New Year period are normally at different times. If you can't take packaging to a recycling centre, make sure you only put your rubbish out just before the collection and do your best to fold boxes inside-out so that they don't advertise any new contents of your home to thieves. Post Responsibly - For thieves, social media can be used to scout potential targets. Uploading photos of pricey Christmas gifts or that you are away from home can put your home on their hit list. It's always worth double-checking your privacy settings on social channels and, where possible and keeping your profile private. Protect Your Presents - Christmas trees look lovely all lit up in a bay window and visible from the outside - however be aware that everyone knows presents are usually stored underneath them - therefore avoid placing presents under the tree which are directly visible from the street - to stop unwanted window shoppers. As always - if you see anything suspicious please report this to the police via telephone, live chat or our website. Wishing you a joyous Christmas season from your local neighbourhood team. | 
