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Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Burglar Alarms,CCTV and all security solutions Burglary prevention This advice on preventing burglaries comes from the Metropolitan Police.The best way to protect your house from a burglar is to think like a burglar. How does a burglar's mind work? Burglary on the whole is an opportunist crime. A house will be selected if it offers the fewest number of obstacles to carry out the crime undetected. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Don't leave a thief the key to your house· Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places · Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the font door · Do not label your house keys in case you loose them and they fall into the wrong hands · Where possible‚ try to keep valuables out of sight from windows and fit a security light over your front door so there is no place to hide Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar How to make your house look occupied· Install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically · Have a neighbour or friend pop round to clear your letter box or doorstep · Encourage a neighbour to park on your drive If you are going out after dark‚ draw the curtains‚ leave some lights on and a radio playing Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar If you are away for extended periods· Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers · Disconnect the answering machine‚ or re- word your greeting message to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable to answer · Get a neighbour‚ friend or relative to keep a regular eye on your property and keep the front door clear of deliveries · If you are prepared to leave a key with a willing neighbour/relative‚ ask for curtains to be drawn and lights to be put on at night: if snow is on the ground‚ a few footprints will make the house appear inhabited · Check your insurance policy: some insurance policies for contents don't cover you if you are away for more than 30 days · Set your burglar alarm · If you do not have an alarm‚ consider investing in a dummy alarm box Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Bogus callers Older people are less likely than any other age group to be victims of crime. But there is one one type of criminal that target older people: bogus callers.Also known as distraction burglars, they trick their way into people’s homes to steal money and valuables while the householder’s attention is elsewhere. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Password scheme All electricity‚ gas and water companies have a doorstep password scheme. If you haven’t already done so‚ set up a password with each of them, choosing passwords that are unique and that you will remember. When a representative calls they will give you this unique password to confirm they are legitimate.Keep the passwords out of sight but where you can easily find – if you need to fetch it‚ close the door first. If you print out this page or the corresponding booklet, there is space to write down the contact numbers and passwords. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Safety and security in your home Use a door chain and‚ if you can‚ a spy hole. This makes it easier for you to identify who is at the door without fully opening it. If you do not currently have a chain or spy hole, arrange to have them fitted. Our HandyVan scheme will fit them free of charge if you qualify, or your local Age UK group may be able to help you find a handyperson who can do this for you.Valuables and moneyDo not keep large amounts of money in the house. It is safer in a bank or building society account. Do not leave money lying around where it is visible from outside or where it can be easily found.Do not leave valuable items in view or where they can be easily found. Items of sentimental value‚ such as jewellery‚ may also be those that most appeal to burglars. It may be worth getting a small safe for your home. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar What to do when someone calls Before you go to the doorClose and lock the back door and any accessible windows before you go to the front door.Bogus callers often work in pairs. One of them will try to keep you talking at the front door while the other tries to get in through the back door or a window.Look through your spy hole or windowTry to check who a caller is before opening the door. Don’t let any caller pressure you into making a quick decision - if you are unsure‚ do not open the door.Put your door chain onBefore you answer the door, put your door chain on and keep it on while you check the callers’ identity. If you want to check with their company, keep the door chain on‚ tell the caller you are going to call their company and close the door. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Check the caller is who they say they are A genuine caller will not object to you leaving them on the doorstep and closing the door while you confirm their identity‚ even if it is raining.If the caller says they represent an electricity‚ gas or water company or another organisation such as the council or a charity, follow the checklist below to check that a caller is who they say they are.Ask for the password Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Rogue traders Some cold callers will offer to do roofing‚ building or driveway resurfacing. Some will vastly overcharge for unnecessary‚ shoddy or non-existent work. Do not agree to any cold caller doing any work for you.Never accept an offer to drive you to withdraw moneyThere have been instances where older people have been driven to their bank or building society to withdraw money to pay the cold caller’s charges.Do not accept an offer to be driven from anyone you do not know or do not trust. If you are pressurised to hand over money‚ keep your door closed‚ dial 999 and ask for the police.Need some work done?If you think you may need to have work done on your house or driveway‚ ask for quotes from two or three reputable companies. Friends and relatives may be able to recommend companies or tradespeople they have been pleased with.Your local Age UK group may also be able to provide lists of companies and tradespeople to help you. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Your passwords If you print out this page, write the contact details and passwords for your electricity‚ gas and water companies below. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar
Crime prevention Here are some simple precautions to protect yourself inside and outside your home, covering how to secure your home, safety outside your home, scams, identity theft and what to do if you are affected by crime.For more detailed information on personal security at home or out and about download our guide Staying safe from the box on the right. Another guide, Avoiding scams, explains how to protect yourself from bogus callers, pyramid schemes, internet scams and more. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar
Security in the home Most burglars are opportunists and they will look for unlocked doors or opened windows to get in. You can reduce the risk of burglary and make yourself feel safer by taking these steps:· Always lock outside doors and close the windows when you go out, even if only for a short time · Draw the curtains in the evening · Don’t give keys to people you do not know well, such as workmen · Change the locks if you think somebody else might have another copy of your keys · Do not leave keys in obvious places such as under a flower pot or doormat or hanging inside the letterbox · Look through the ‘spy hole’ and put the door chain on before you open the door · Only take the chain off and admit the caller if you are sure about their identity and purpose of their visit · Do not keep the chain on all the time; it will prevent someone with a door key entering - for example a home help or the emergency services · Keep your garden tools and ladders locked away · If you think you have been broken into, do not go inside as the burglar might still be inside - call the police.For more advice on preventing burglaries, see our page of burglary prevention advice from the Metropolitan Police.Keeping your doors and windows secureContact your local police station and ask to speak to a Crime Prevention Officer for advice on security.Our HandyVan scheme is a country wide scheme to provide and fit locks and spy holes etc free of charge. Burglar alarmsVisible burglar alarms will deter opportunist burglars and increase the security of your home. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Safety outside the home Out walking Attacks on people by strangers in public places are rare and violent crime accounts for a small part of all recorded crime.You can reduce the risk of attack further:· Stick to well-lit, busy roads, avoid underpasses; if you can, avoid walking alone, especially in an unfamiliar area · Walk facing oncoming traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed · Buy a personal attack alarm and carry it in your hand while you are out walking at night · Carry a mobile telephone · Keep your bag close to you and don’t keep everything in it; for example put your keys in trousers/skirt pocket and mobile in your jacket pocket · Don’t carry large sums of money; cover up expensive looking jewellery · If someone tries to snatch your bag it might be best to let them have it instead of risking injuries · If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street more than once to make sure if you are right; if you are still worried get to the nearest place where there are other people and call the policePublic transport· Wait in a busy and well-lit area · Sit near other people or close to the driver or conductor · If somebody makes you feel uncomfortable change placesTaxi· Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered - if you gave your name to the company, check that the driver knows it before you get in · Sit behind the driver; if you feel uneasy ask the driver to stop in a busy place that you know of and get outDriving· Make sure you have enough petrol · Plan your route in advance and tell somebody where you are going · Park in well lit busy areas · Don’t leave anything on display, lock any items in the boot · While driving keep valuables out of sight · Do not give lifts to or accept lifts from strangers · If you break down on a motorway, follow the arrows to the nearest phone and do not cross the carriageway. Don’t wait in the car - there is a high risk of accident. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Scams Scams can take a variety of forms such as unsolicited prize draws, lotteries or windfalls, pyramid schemes, clairvoyant scams and emails and text messages linked to a premium rate telephone line. To protect yourself from scams:· Read letters, brochures, emails and text messages carefully and seek professional help if it involves a lot of money or time · Make sure you know who you are dealing with, check independent sources to verify any claims made by a sales person, investments adviser or advertisement · Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of any offer made to you, ask for an explanation of anything you don’t understand · Don’t provide any financial or other personal details before you are sure that the company is legitimate · Deal with companies you know and trust · Don’t call premium rate telephone lines - they can cost £1.50 a minute or more and you may lose £15 for every call you make If you think you have been the victim of a scam, or if you suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06 (lo-call rate) or visit the Consumer Direct website. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar Identity Theft In identity theft criminals use your personal information to carry out fraud on your bank accounts or to use your name in another fraudulent way.To keep your bank account safe:· Be cautious of anyone seeking too much personal information; ask why they need them · Never disclose your PIN to anyone - your bank would not contact you to ask for your PIN, password or other security information in full · Shred or cut to little pieces anything containing personal information such as documents, cards, receipts, unwanted applications for bank accounts, credit cards or loans etc before putting them in the bin · Check your statements regularly and contact your bank immediately if you do not recognize the transactions · If you are expecting a statement, new card or cheque book by post and it does not arrive, contact your bank immediately · Keep your passwords and PIN numbers safe, don’t write them down · Avoid using your mother’s maiden name as a security password - it can be easily discovered · Don’t use the same password for more than one account · Be careful when you use your cards and don’t let anyone see your PIN number · If you move house contact your bank and all other organisations to give them the new address (the Post Office can redirect post on request) · Use a computer that you know is secure - which means one with up to date antivirus software, and firewall installed; be wary of making a transaction using internet cafes or public computersFor more information see the Home Office's identity theft website.e: Metropolitan Police, November 2009. Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 For Intruder and CCTV solutions. Beat the Burglar |
