Lock up your bikes and other valuable possessions – or risk losing them to thieves.
That’s the message being given by the Safer New Forest Partnership in a bid to crack down on opportunist crime in the district.
“Whether it’s your bike left unsecured outside a shop for five minutes, your car door left unlocked on your driveway or your handbag left unzipped as you shop, thieves are keen to take advantage of these opportunities,” said Cllr Jill Cleary, NFDC portfolio holder for housing and communities.
“We ask all residents, whatever their age, to be vigilant in locking up their possessions when they are left unattended.”
The awareness message is being issued ready for the busy run-up to Christmas and for the darker evenings, which leave people more vulnerable when they are out and about.
New Forest police are always on the lookout for suspicious activity – but they need residents to take action to stop opportunist thieves from striking.
New Forest Chief Inspector Lucy Hutson said: “By taking a few extra moments to lock your possessions or check your handbag or wallet is secure, you could be saving yourself the distress of finding your valuables stolen.”
The Safer New Forest Partnership is backing a purse awareness campaign by funding security clips for shoppers to attach to their handbags.
The ‘Purse Aware’ lanyard has a plastic clasp in the middle to enable shoppers to unfasten the purse from their bags without handling the clips – by leaving the clips in place, shoppers will be reminded to clip it back together before going shopping again.
The free lanyards are available from local police stations or by contacting Stephanie Bennett, community safety co-ordinator, on 023 8028 5588 or email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk.
Other security measures recommended by the Safer New Forest Partnership, include:
- Remove any valuable items from parked vehicles, particularly in beauty spots. Bags, purses, coats, CDs, mobiles, laptops and satnavs should not be left in empty cars – even out of sight in the boot or under a seat.
- Don’t forget to lock your vehicle securely before leaving it, even if it’s just for a minute or your car is parked outside your property.
- Always remove your keys from the car ignition.
- Lock your bikes with a security chain whenever you leave them – at home or out and about. At home, store them in a locked shed or garage – don’t leave them on view.
- Make sure you lock your house doors, windows, sheds and garages – even when you are at home and busy in another part of the house or garden.
- Make it difficult for intruders to gain access – lock your side gates to prevent entry to the back garden. Lock away all garden tools and ladders in the shed or garage. Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed to allow neighbours and passers-by to see the house.
- Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door – burglars know all the hiding places.
- Set your burglar alarm. If you do not have an alarm, consider investing in a good security system. Make sure your belongings are property marked.
- Help deter car thieves by displaying a Hampshire Constabulary notice in your car which states: ‘No valuables have been left in this vehicle.’ They are available free of charge by contacting Stephanie Bennett at Safer New Forest, New Forest District Council, Appletree Court, Lyndhurst SO43 7PA. Tel. 023 8028 5588 or email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk
- For further information on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime, download the Family Crime Reduction Guide from the Safer New Forest website www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk
