Fermanagh Anti-Burglary Guide

8/2/2019 Fermanagh Anti-Burglary Guide

1/16EVER

YONESHO

MEISATRISK

DOMESTIC

BURGLARY

Thisfreeguidetodomesticburglary

Thisfreeguidetodomesticburg

lary

preventionisbroughttoyoubypreventionisbroughttoyoubyPOLIC

ESERV

ICE

NORTHERN

IREL

AN

D

FermanaghFermanaghFerma

nagh

Community

Safety

Partnership


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FOREWORD

Although Fermanagh is one of the safest areas to live every home in the

county has the potential to be burglarised.

Local crime surveys in Fermanagh have consistently shown that domestic

burglary is the biggest concern of residents in the county and every year many

homes and outbuildings will be the subject of a burglary or a break in.

A lot of burglaries happen because people dont secure their homes. In 1 in 5

burglaries the thief does not even have to use force they get in through an

open window or door or gain access to your home under false pretences.

Yet in most cases these crimes could have been avoided by taking simple

preventive measures in securing your home. This booklet explains some

elementary steps that you can take in securing your home and property.

Home security is about awareness look at your home through the eyes of

the burglar and reduce the risk of your home being burgled by making sure

you have taken precautions.

This is a practical guide to assist you in making your home safer and therefore

make it as difficult as possible for the burglar to make you his next target.

Please take time to read this booklet which has been delivered to you as part

of a joint PSNI, Community Safety Partnership/District Policing Partnership

Initiative.

Fermanagh

Community

Safety

Partnership

POLIC

E SERV

ICE

NORTHERN IR

ELAN

D

Fermanaghermanagh


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DE

ARHOUSEHOLDER

3

Levels of burglary in Fermanagh remain low in comparison with other

areas of Northern Ireland. However, a recent county wide survey indicated

that domestic burglary remains the biggest concern to householders in

Fermanagh.

Fermanagh DCUs proximity to the Republic of Ireland makes the county an

attractive target for travelling criminals. Recent trends have indicated that

travelling criminals have targeted rural areas in Fermanagh. Fermanagh is the

most sparsely populated county in Northern Ireland and the remote rural

areas enable travelling burglars to move with limited chance of disruption.

There is also evidence that opportunistic burglars regularly make the most of

insecure premises, entering mainly through unlocked doors, open windows and

by using keys left hidden outside unoccupied houses. Home Office research

has also found that a lack of security measures was one of the greatest risk

factors for domestic burglary. Certainly, in Fermanagh burglars prefer to

target houses that are not alarmed and those with minimal security features.

Burglar alarms, deadbolts, security lights, window locks and property marking

schemes are effective deterrents to the burglar.


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REC

ORDYOURPR

OPERTY

Please use this section of the booklet to record details of your valuables.

Think about security marking your property with your postcode and house

number. This not only improves the chances of recovering your property,

it can also deter the burglary and may help with police enquiries, possibly

leading to a successful prosecution.

Item Serial No. Description, size,

colour

Make/model Value


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PROPERT

YMARKING

5

Make your property unique thieves like highly portable, high value, easily

saleable goods. Cash and jewellery are the most common items to be taken

in a burglary and although there is a downward trend for electrical items, it

is still worth marking these types of equipment. Tools and garden equipment

stored in garages or sheds should also be marked.

Where possible, you should mark these items with your postcode, followed

by the number of your house or flat by using a permanent ultra violet (UV)

marker, or special etching or engraving tool.

There are overt means to permanently security code items with special

etching or electric engraving tools, thus making a visible identification mark

which is a particular deterrent to burglars. These are relatively inexpensive

kits and are available from DIY stores or high street retailers. There are also

more permanent covert and overt methods of marking property that can be

utilised for a minimum cost. The PSNI preferred covert method of marking

property is Smartwater - www.smartwater.com Tel: 0800 328 6268

A localised trailer marking and registration scheme operates in Fermanagh

and this is free to all trailer owners. Please contact Crime Prevention Officer

(028 6632 2823).

Property recovered by the

police is scanned under a UV

lamp. Marking your property

will make it easier for the

police to identify it and bring

offenders to justice.

Dont leave your keys on the hall table!


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HO

MESEC

URITYASSESSM

ENT

The key to preventing crime is to identify the potential risk and to putmeasures in place to reduce this risk becoming a reality.

This checklist has been designed to help you assess the security of your own

home and to identify any potential risk factors.

If you tick NO to any of the questions then you should consider takingaction to make your property more secure.

YES NO

(Tick Box) Do you have a hedge/wall/fence to the front of your home? If you have a hedge/wall/fence to the front is it 1m (3ft) or

less to allow natural surveillance?

Do you have a rear garden with a strong, high, wellmaintained hedge/wall/fence around it?

Do you have gates to your property to deny access? Do you have security lighting around your home? Do you have other homes overlooking yours? Are all external doors to your home strong and in

good condition?

Do you have 5 lever mortice deadlocks to BS 3621standard fitted to external doors (wooden) or

multi point locking on PVC doors? How do you check for this? *

Does your front door have a door viewer/intercom/chainfitted to help identify callers to your door?

If you have the above fitted, do you and familymembers use them routinely?

Are your windows lockable? If so, are the windows always locked and keys removed?


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HOMESECURITYA

SSESSM

ENT

7* You can borrow a DVD How secure is my home?

from the Community Safety Office, Townhall.

In the event of an emergency, do all family membersknow where to locate keys?

Do you have a secure lockable place to keep valuables,jewellery, documents etc?

Do you have an intruder alarm fitted and do youuse it routinely?

Do you or family members routinely check that alldoors/windows are secure before retiring for the night?

Do you lock your vehicle at night and are you carefulwhere you leave the keys?

If you have expensive items around your home(eg caravan, boat, etc) are they secured properly?

If you have DIY tools/gardening equipmentetc, are they kept in a secure location?

Is all property both inside and/or outside yourhome security marked and serial numbers recorded etc?

Do you have a good relationship with neighbourswho can keep an eye on your property?

If you are away even for a short spell do you usetimer switches for lights in order to make the house

look occupied?

Do you report your home as vacant to your localpolice station if you are going on holiday?

REMEMBER - If you ticked NO you should review your home security

now. Should you have any queries please contact the Crime PreventionDepartment for free impartial advice on all aspects of home security.

For a more extensive review of your home security go to website

www.howsecureismyhome.com


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ASSESSINGT

HERISK

It would be difficult to write checklists for every type of home, and you mayfind that some do not apply to your specific situation. However, all therelevant areas of concern have been covered in this book should guide you inthe right direction.

The Front Garden or Hard Standing Do the shrubs in the garden obscure the front of the house or flat and

provide cover for a burglar to operate? Are there items in the garden that could be used to force open an entrance

door or break glass? Are there items of value in the front garden that can be easily stolen? Are there items or features in the garden that can be climbed to gain

access to upper windows and balconies?

As you approach the entrance door, are there any blind spots wheresomeone could hide?

Can callers at the door be seen by your neighbours and from the street? Where is the spare front door key? Under the flowerpot or the

doormat? If you do not park your car in a locked garage, are there items of value on

view in your car? Do you have a front gate?After Dark Is there a light in the front garden? Does the light cast any dark shadows that could provide cover for a burglar

to operate? Do fitted lights work?The Front Of Your Home If you have an intruder alarm, can the bell box be seen from the road? Are there items of value on view in the windows? Are any of the first floor windows accessible by climbing? Is the entrance door deeply recessed? Are your ground floor windows, and those that are accessible by climbing,

in good condition and fitted with sufficient window locks of the right type,in the right positions to resist a burglar?

After Dark Are there lights outside the back doors? Do the back-door lights come on automatically when you are away? Do fitted lights work? Do you leave any windows open for ventilation at night?

Risk Assessment Checklist


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ASSESSINGTHERISK

9

Indoors Do you have a plan in the event of a fire? - Get out, stay out and dial 999. Have your gas appliances (cooker, heater, boiler) been serviced recently? Are you overloading your electrical sockets? Do you smoke in bed? Can you hear if anyone walks up to the front of your home? Can you hear close approaches to your windows on the ground floor?

Have you marked your property with your postcode and house or flatnumber? Do you have a safe? Is there an intruder alarm? Do you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Do you leave cash or credit cards lying about? Where do you keep your spare keys? Do you have contents insurance, and is the cover sufficient?

After Dark Do some of the house lights come on automatically when you are out oraway on holiday?

Do you key lock yourself in at night?

Window locks

KEY

= security risk

= good security feature

Accessible window

from soil pipe

Soil Pipe

View over side

Light Supplementarylock fitted

Tools left outcould be used to

break in

Property on

view in car?

Ladder not

chained up

Items of valueItems of valueleft outsideleft outside

Window

locks Vulnerable

side access

Can callers be seen

by your neighbours?

Milk Bottles

Trimmed

dge

Front gate

Fencing with trellis

Lighting

Potential blind spot

Climbing risk to open window

Light

Burglar alarm Access to window

by climbing

Door locks

Visible valuables

SECURITY ISSUES

AROUND THE HOME


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PRICKLYPL

ANTING

Security starts at the garden gate

PRICKLY PLANTING

1. Climbing roseBramble-like stems are covered in sharp, hooked thorns which make itdifficult for would - be burglars to reach the window or door surrounds.

2. Juniperus Chinensis Obelisk

Evergreen conifer. Planted in appropriate places, its density and needlesharp leaves can deter people from getting close to the property. The

needles grow to 15 mm in length.

3. Berberis temolaica

Pale yellow flowers and red berries. Grows to 3 metres. Thickly coveredin thorns.

4. Multi-frond palm

Long razor sharp edges to fronds provide an ideal barrier between yourborders and the windows.

5. HollyEvergreen shrub or tree with prickly leaves. Provides round the year

interest.


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PRICKLYPLANTING

11

6. Phormium tenax

Evergreen sword shapedspiky leaves that grow up

to 3 metres long. Its heightand spikes make it difficult

to push through or climbover. Flowers purple and

brown in the summer.

7. Noise

Gravel or slate pathsNoisy when walked on. Sound alerts you to someone approaching the

house, acting as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

8. Bamboo

Attractive feature. When planted against walls or fences it will preventburglars climbing into upstairs windows by alerting you to their presence.

If the canes are forcibly broken they will make a loud snap.

9. Security locks and light Windows and door locks

Ensure all windows are fitted with security locks. Front and rear doorsshould be fitted with mortise locks (BS 3621), hinge bolts and no weakpanels. Add motion sensor lights around the exterior of the house and

garden or use dusk-to-dawn lighting.When installing new doors improve security standard by purchasing

doors and door sets which conform to PAS 23/24 security standard. Askfor accessories such as a door chain/door viewer to be installed at timeof manufacture.

10. Perimeter security

Walls, fences, railings and gatesSupplement walls, fences and railings with thorny shrubs. Higher fences

existing fences should be made higher with trellis (minimum 1800 mmhigh) creating difficulty for the intruder to navigate. Fit gates to all accesspoints with locks. Plastic spikes can also be applied to top of walls.

11. VisibilityThere should be maximum visibility to the front of the property. Keepwalls, hedges, shrubs, etc, at maximum height of 1 metre. Hedges, fences,

etc, to rear can be higher for privacy.


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HO

LIDAYS

Tips to make your home secure while on holiday.

Make sure your home looks like someone is living in it. Dont close your

curtains in daytime this shows the house is empty. Think about getting

automatic time switches to turn your lights on when it gets dark.

Fit mortise deadlocks or bolts to all outside doors and locks on all downstairs

or easily accessible windows.

Cancel all milk or newspaper deliveries.

Cut the lawn before you go and trim back any plants that the burglar could

hide behind.

Get a friend or neighbour to look after your home. They can collect your

mail, mow your lawn and so on. This gives the impression that someone is

living in your home. If you leave keys with a neighbour, dont label them with

your address.

Dont leave valuables, like your TV, hi-fi or video where people can see them

through a window.

Consider using Royal Mail

Keep Safe service. Mail can

be held for you to avoid a tell-

tale build up behind your door.

Contact 0845 7740740 for further

details or contact your local Post

Office.BEWARE OF BURGLARY


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N

EIGHBOURHO

ODWA

TCH

13

A PRACTICAL STEP IN CRIME PREVENTION

Neighbourhood Watch is a practical community safetyinitiative jointly administered by NIO Community SafetyUnit, the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the PoliceService of Northern Ireland. Neighbourhood Watch

works by developing close liaison between households in aneighbourhood and the local police. It aims to help peopleprotect themselves and their properties and to reduce thefear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accuratereporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a communityspirit.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes and associations across Northern Irelandare coming up with new ideas and initiatives to extend the effectiveness of

this valuable community safety organisation.

If you would like to be part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area,contact the Crime Prevention Officer in Enniskillen PSNI Station (028 66322823) or either the Community Safety Co-ordinator or the District PolicingPartnership Manager (both 028 6632 5050).

There are already over 200 Neighbourhood Watch schemes operating inNorthern Ireland and many communities in both urban and rural areas are

finding the benefit of this practical community initiative.

CRIMESTOPPERSWith your help we can beat crime successfully

Tel: 0800 555111 in complete confidence

Crimestoppers provides a telephone number whicheveryone can ring 24 hours a day to provide informationabout criminals. No one is ever asked for their nameand the calls are not recorded and cannot be traced.

If information provided leads to the arrest and charge of an offender a rewardof up to 1000 can be paid. The process is also completely anonymous.

Crimestoppers has been successfully operating in Northern Ireland since 1996.It has received over 14,200 calls during this time, been directly responsible forsome 1200 arrests and recovered 2.25 million in property. It is supportedby a registered national charity, Crimestoppers Trust and a local board of

directors who are volunteers.

Remember all calls are treated anonymously and that with your helpTogether we can crack crime.


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DIS

TRACTIONBURGLARY

BOGUS CALLERS

Some burglars will try and trick their way intoyour home. They may say they are from thewater, gas or electricity company or the localcouncil. They may ask for a glass of water, orto wash their hands, or they have lost a pet ora ball. In fact they will use any story they canto get in. They can be young (even children),old, male or female. They may work in teams orwork alone. They often target the elderly.

Criminals will normally target unoccupied property. In order to checkwhether a home is unoccupied it is likely that the criminal will knock the door

or ring the doorbell. If there is no one about they may proceed to the rearof the property where they will be out of view. If you have a strange callerat your door with an unlikely story take a brief description and details of anyvehicle and tell the police. The same procedure should be taken with anysuspicious incident. Calls to police reporting suspicious activity have resultedin successful apprehension of criminals.

TOP TIP: Always make sure your back door is locked before

answering the front door

Remember:

POLICE TELEPHONES: 0845 600 8000 (non-emergency number);

999 (emergency number).

LOCK - keep your doors and windows locked even when you are at home.STOP - are you expecting anyone? Do they have an appointment? Makesure the back door is locked - some thieves work in pairs with the other one

sneaking in the back doorwhile you are at the front door. Use the doorviewer or check who is there by looking out a window.CHAIN- put the door bar or chain on before you open the door.INTERCOM - installation will also ensure that the door does not have to beopened to speak to a caller.CHECK - check their identity carefully. Ask for an ID card. Close the doorand check using the phone numberfrom thephone book, not the one onthe card.

IF IN DOUBT - KEEP THEM OUT particularly if you are on your own.Ask them to make an appointment to come back later when someone else isaround. Genuine callers wont mind.


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ALA

RMS

15

A burglar alarm is a deterrent in itself.

Many burglars will avoid breaking into a

property with an alarm. If you have one

use it! There are 3 main types of alarm.

The first type is an audible bell/siren alarm

that sounds when activated. Ideally thereshould be alarm/bell boxes front and back

of the premises. This type of alarm is

reliant on the response of neighbours or

the householder being at home but asleep.

Due to the high number of false alarms,

the police will normally only respond to

these activations if there is confirmation

of associated suspicious activity.

The second type of alarm is connected to the telephone system and if activated

will also sound the bell or siren but automatically dial up pre-programmed

telephone numbers with a message notifying the keyholder to respond. Again

police will normally only respond where there is confirmation of associated

suspicious activity.

The third type is a monitored alarm which sends a signal to a monitoring

station. A confirmed activation will also be passed to police for response.

Remember to always set the alarm when leaving the premises unoccupied

even for a short period. In over 99% of burglaries committed in 2005/2006

there was no alarm installed.

Use you alarm when going to bed many people think that if they are at home

and going to bed there is no need to set the alarm. This is not the case. Ifyour alarm can be set to cover zoned areas, set the alarm downstairs when

going to bed. Burglars will consider breaking into homes overnight because

they know that some householders do not set the alarm when going to bed.

Social alarms often known as helplines are available to provide reassurance

and response to individuals living alone, or with medical or mobility problems.

Many organisations provide this equipment including Age Concern, Help the

Aged, Fold Telecare, etc. Many of these systems now also have additional home

security measures added including bogus caller alert buttons and movement

sensors.


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USEFUL CONTACTS

PSNI CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER

Enniskillen0845 6008000

FERMANAGH COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

FERMANAGH DISTRICT POLICING PARTNERSHIP

The Townhall, Enniskillen,

Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA.

028 6632 5050

Textphone: 028 6632 7969

VICTIM SUPPORT

22 Campsie Road,Omagh, BT79 0AG.

028 8224 0012 / 0845 3030900

9.00am - 9.00pm

CRIMESTOPPERS

0800 555111

NI HOUSING EXECUTIVE

Grants Office, Riverview House,

Head Street, Enniskillen, BT74 7DA.

028 6632 5770

HMSO Core Licence Number C02W0005084

Documents

Fermanagh Anti-Burglary Guide