HELPING YOU TO RECOVER A number of agencies provide … · 2020. 5. 25. · makes your property safer. If you are away from your house, use timers on various lights within your home

HELPING YOU TO RECOVERFROM THE EXPERIENCE

Being a victim of burglary can be a frightening and

unsettling experience, and can be particularly

difficult for children to deal with.

Although most people underestimate the shock that

burglary can cause, the emotional or psychological

impact can be as significant as its financial cost –

sometimes even more so.

It is normal to feel upset after your house has been

broken into. Someone has entered your private

space - a place that you reserve for those invited.

The experience can be intimidating and the fact

that there is often no direct recourse is an

additional irritant.

There is a sense in which the security, once enjoyed,

is now compromised. It is not uncommon to feel

somewhat uneasy.

Some victims also feel distressed because they

have lost valuables which are a part of their

family’s history or that link them to dear friends

or loved ones.

Children may have increased feelings of insecurity

and fear, which might include difficulty going to

bed, insisting that the lights be left on while they

sleep, refusing to go to school or difficulties while

at school.

There is no quick solution to deal with the

feelings that result after a house burglary.

Most people find it helpful to talk about their

experience with someone they trust, such as

a family member, friend or work mate.

A number of agencies provide specialised support

for victims of crime and their families. If you need

assistance, victim support services are located in

every State:

NSW

Victim Support Service (02) 9374 3000

Freecall 1800 633 063

TTY (02) 9374 3175

SOUTH AUSTRALIA


Outside metro area only 1800 182 368

VICTORIA

Victim Referral and Assistance Service Metro (03) 9603 9797

Country freecall 1800 819 817

Police Victim Advisory Unit (03) 9628 8381

TASMANIA

Victims of Crime Service

Hobart (03) 6228 7628

Launceston (03) 6334 1665

Burnie (03) 6434 6471

QUEENSLAND

Victims of Crime Association of QLD1300 733 777

ACT

Victims Services Scheme 1800 822 272

Australian Federal Police Victim Liaison Officers

Northside (02) 6245 7441

Southside (02) 6293 7758

WESTERN AUSTRALIA


Outside metro area only 1800 818 988

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Victims of Crime Assistance League

(08) 8941 0995

Most police services have victim or communityliaison officers or units.

A COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BURGLED?

If you suspect someone is inside your home, do

not go inside. Go to a neighbour’s house and

contact the police on 000.

If you see an intruder leaving, make a note or

memorise a description of him/her, the vehicle

and number plate.

If the burglar has gone, do not touch anything.

It may need to be fingerprinted.

Itemise what has been taken. Keep notes, you

may even notice items missing several days

after the burglary.

Contact your insurance company and arrange

for an assessor to visit your home.

Some Items Need Immediate Attention

Credit cards and cheque books are not

transferable. In most circumstances you are

not responsible for illegal use of credit cards

AFTER you have reported their disappearance.

Remember that if you have been burgled,

you have a one in four greater chance of being

burgled again in the next 12 months.

INCREASE YOUR SECURITY

Evaluate the security areas in your house:

windows, doors and lights.

Install deadbolt locks.

Hinge doors so no pins can be removed

from the outside.

Consider increasing the security of your

windows by installing locks.

For sliding windows and doors purchase a slide

lock with a key. These are designed to prevent

patio type doors from being forced open.

Consider having a peephole installed in your

outside door. You will not have to open your

door to determine the identity of your caller.

When you move into a new house or apartment,

have new locks installed.

Proper and creative lighting of your premises

and home not only makes you feel secure but

makes your property safer.

If you are away from your house, use timers

on various lights within your home to give the

‘message’ that your residence is inhabited. It can

also be useful to leave a radio or TV playing to

give the impression that someone is home.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO PROTECTYOURSELF AT HOME

Do not keep large amounts of money or

other valuables at home.

Lock outside doors at all times, even when

you are at home.

Do not open the door to strangers without

checking that they are who they say they are.

Ensure that your garage and tool shed

are locked.

Minimise shrubbery and other obstructions

in your yard that could conceal an intruder.

SOME WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELFWHEN YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME

Purchase a timer to switch lights on and off.

Arrange to have mail, milk and newspaper

deliveries discontinued or taken care of by

a responsible neighbour.

Inform trusted neighbours and local police

of your travel plans.

HELP THE POLICE HELP YOU

Write down the license numbers of vehicles

used by suspicious persons in your

neighbourhood.

Keep an inventory of valuables so you will

know immediately if anything is missing.

Include photographs of jewellery and serial

numbers of other costly items.

Disclaimer – This information sheet contains general guidelines for increasing security at home. The Commonwealth Government, in providing this information, makes no

representation nor gives any warranty or guarantee concerning the safety of persons or property, nor does the Commonwealth Government accept any responsibility for any

damage or loss, however caused, suffered by any individual or corporation arising from the use or application of these guidelines. Users of these guidelines must satisfy

themselves as to the adequacy of the guidelines for the purposes of their own safety and security.


PRACTICAL DO-IT-YOURSELF SAFETY AUDIT FOR YOUR HOME

A safety audit of your home can identify areas where security can be improved.

The following checklist can be used to review your home security.

YES NO

Is the house number clearly visible from the street?

Can offenders be seen in the yard?

Are the front and rear doors solid core?

Are the doors fitted with a deadlock/deadbolt?

Are security screens fitted to doors?

Does the door have a door viewer (peephole)?

Are the windows fitted with key operated locks or security devices?

Are your locks keyed alike so that one key opens all doors or windows?

Does the house have an automatic light timer or sensor activated lights?

Are lights left on when you go out?

Is there adequate lighting at main entry/exits?

Is there a telephone extension in the main bedroom?

Are emergency numbers keyed into the telephone?

Do you have an alarm? If so, is it always used and serviced regularly?

Is the garage/shed securely locked?

Is the meter box locked?

Are tools/ladders secure?

Is property engraved or marked for personal identification?

Has valuable property been photographed?

Have ‘WARNING’ stickers been stuck to windows advising that property

has been marked for identification?


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IMPROVING SECURITY OFYOUR VEHICLE AND ITSCONTENTS

Theft of cars and of property from cars is one of the

most common forms of crime in Australia.

Approximately one in four vehicles is stolen by

professionals. Seventy-five per cent of vehicles

are stolen by opportunistic thieves who target

vehicles that are easy to steal. The stolen vehicles

are then often used in joy-riding or to commit

another crime.

There are measures that you can take to improve

car security and reduce the risk of theft.

SECURITY DEVICES

NEW CARS

If you are buying a new car, check out its security

features.

While car manufacturers are increasingly fitting

security devices, these vary between vehicles.

Newer cars may be fitted with:

Engine immobilisers

Better door and ignition locks

Security patterned keys

Internal lock shields to prevent lock jemmying

Security coded radio/CD players or radio/CD

players with removable face plates

Car alarms

OLDER CARS

If you have an older car there are things you can

do to help protect your vehicle.

Installing an engine immobiliser (an electronic

device that prevents a vehicle’s engine from starting

without the correct signal) is the best form of

vehicle security available.

Research by the National Motor Vehicle Theft

Reduction Council found that immobilisers are

fitted to 31 per cent of all vehicles in Australia,

but only 3 per cent of stolen vehicles.

In many instances where a vehicle fitted with

an immobiliser had been stolen, the thief had

access to the original key.

Make sure the immobiliser complies with the

Australian/New Zealand Standard for Vehicle

Immobilisers (AS/NZS 4601:1999). This will

ensure that the immobiliser cannot be easily

overcome by thieves and will not affect the safe

operation of your vehicle.

You might also consider fitting an anti-theft alarm.

OTHER TYPES OF CAR SAFETY

Be sure to lock your car, shut your windows

tight and never leave your keys in the car. Even

the smallest gap can enable the windows to be

forced. It may sound obvious, but think how

many times you’ve left your car unlocked or

your keys in the ignition while at the service

station or the shops.

Do not leave valuables in your car. If, however,

you do need to, place your handbag, parcels,

luggage or briefcase out of sight in the glove

box, boot or under the seat. Ensure that no-one

sees you placing these valuables in the boot.


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Keep your garage locked. Many cars are stolen

from garages and driveways, both during the

day and at night.

Choose secure carparks. Of course, there is

no such thing as a theft-proof carpark, but

whenever possible, choose a multi-storey

carpark that is well lit, with boom gates.

Remember, don’t leave your ticket in the car.

Park well away from isolated or dark areas –

especially at night.

Be alert to any strangers showing an interest

in your vehicle.

Don’t hide spare keys anywhere, inside

or outside the car.

A lockable fuel cap will prevent your petrol

being stolen and force joy-riders to abandon

your car when the petrol runs out.

Keep a record of the serial number of your

car keys and accessories.

Remember, if a car door cannot be opened and

the contents removed in a few seconds, a thief

usually won’t bother.

The National Crime Prevention Programme

acknowledges the information provided by

the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction

Council (NMVTRC) in the preparation of this

information sheet.

Further information on car theft can be found at

the NMVTRC website: http://www.carsafe.com.au






INSURING YOUR PROPERTY

It is important to insure your property against theft,

attempted theft, malicious damage and vandalism.

This is usually done through your car or household

contents insurance.

Your insurance cover should provide enough

to pay for most loss or damage but if you have

particularly valuable items it may be necessary

to increase your cover on a regular basis to meet

rises in the value of items.

Remember to keep your insurance policy in

a safe place.

If you are in doubt about your policy, for

instance what it covers, how much you are

insured for and how much to claim, you should

contact the Department of Fair Trading/Consumer

Affairs, a consumer advice group or your

insurance company.

REMEMBER…

Your insurance only covers items and events

listed in your policy document.

It is your responsibility to keep details of all

the items insured including serial numbers,

descriptions and original receipts. Do this with

a Property Inventory list.

You must take reasonable steps to prevent a

loss by fitting good locks to doors and windows

and ensuring that they are used at all times.

Some policies require you to have mortice locks

so check what precautions you should take.

If you are burgled, you must do what you can

to prevent further damage, for example secure

broken doors and windows.

It is up to you to see that you have adequate

insurance cover for all of your belongings.

Contact the police as soon as you discover

a theft. Take their advice and do not disturb

anything until they can send an officer around

to deal with your call.

Get in touch with your insurance

company promptly.

The insurance company will try to deal with

your claim as quickly as possible but it helps if

you can provide the following information:

A list of items stolen or damaged

A completed claim form

Receipts, written estimates and other

information to assess the claim

The name of the police officer and police

station dealing with the theft and the

crime number.

Keep copies of all correspondence and your

claim form.

Cash and jewellery are the most common items

stolen during break and enters, so avoid keeping

large quantities in your house.

If you have to keep valuable items at home, you

should think about buying a good quality safe.

If you have your credit card stolen, contact your

bank or credit card company immediately. If you

delay reporting the loss, you may find that you are

liable for the cost of any purchase made before the

card was reported stolen.

If you have an automatic teller card, never carry

your card together with your personal identification

number (PIN). The best advice is to memorise your

number and never disclose it to anyone.

Keep passports and personal papers in a safe

place at home. A floor safe or wall safe is the best,

but a locked filing cabinet can also be suitable.

Tell only a trusted friend or relative where these

papers are located.


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PRACTICAL DOOR ANDWINDOW LOCKS

DOORS

Statistics show that in 16 per cent of home

buglaries reported to police, burglars entered

through an unlocked door or window.

Some simple and inexpensive security measures

for doors include fitting:

a spy hole/door viewer so that you can identify

callers before you open the door.

a chain/door limiter to speak to strangers at

the door before you let them in. Remember,

once you fit one -– use it every time you open

the door.

a security screen door – and keep it locked.

good locks. Door and window security is

important so install the best and most

appropriate locks for your home. If in doubt,

ask a locksmith.


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Door viewer

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Automatic Deadlock

Mortice Deadlock


LOCKS

Some of the most common locks include:

Surface mounted or mortice mounted locks.

A surface mounted lock is fixed to the surface

of the door. A mortice lock is one where the

opening is made in the edge of the door where

the locking mechanism is fit.

Mortice Deadlock. These are locks set into the

door rather than resting on the surface of the

door. These locks can be operated by a key from

outside or by turning the knob from inside.

Mortice Deadbolt. Again these locks are set

into the door rather than resting on the surface.

Deadbolts are opened or closed from both

sides with a key. The door should stay locked

to everyone without a key. This will mean

that goods cannot be carried out through

your door if you are burgled.

Automatic deadlock. The lock can only be

opened from the outside by a key, but can be

opened by turning the knob inside without

a key. At the turn of a key the lock cannot

be opened from the inside. These are fitted

on the surface of the door and are used where

the door is too thin for a mortice deadbolt.

Rim latch. A rim latch lock or latch is attached

to the surface of the door. It is only as strong as

the screws that attach it, so make sure that the

screws are strong enough to withstand attack

and are concealed. Deadlocks and bolts are

more reliable.

The strength of your locks and doors is also

determined by the strength of the frame. You

may need to strengthen the doorframe either

by adding pieces of wood or steel. If you have

glass next to your front door you may need to

reinforce the glass.

Mortice Deadlock

Automatic Deadlock

Rim Latch


IMPENETRABLE DOORS

Security doors are great for all exterior doors.

A good quality security door should have a

deadlock, mounted with non-removable screws

and should be kept locked at all times, even when

you’re at home.

Special locks for sliding glass doors are also

available. Precautions may need to be taken

to prevent the sliding door being removed from

its tracks.

Check door hinges too – fit hinge bolts to reinforce

the hinge side of a door against the use of force.

Contact a licensed locksmith who is a member

of a professional organisation such as the Master

Locksmiths’ Association for advice on what type

of lock best suits your needs.

CHECK…

All doors are locked even if you only go out

for a few minutes.

The people who normally live in the house

know where the keys are kept, particularly

if they have to leave in an emergency.

IF YOUR BUILDING HAS AN ENTRYPHONE SYSTEM:

Do not ‘buzz open’ the main door for a stranger

who calls with a good excuse.

Do not hold the door open for a stranger whose

arrival coincides with your departure.

WINDOWS

More than 50 per cent of burglaries happen

because windows are not secure.

The most common window lock is a keyed

lock. The majority of homes still don’t have

them, but two out of three burglars enter

through windows. Locks are inexpensive and

made to fit all types of windows. Make sure

there is sufficient frame material to install

a window lock securely and the locks are

mounted with non-removable screws.

Sliding Window


SOME TIPS…

Install locks on all windows that can’t be

reached easily by a person from outside your

home. If the glass has to be smashed it will

attract attention. There are locks to suit every

kind of window.

Louvre window panes should be glued into

place with an epoxy resin adhesive and

preferably locked as well.

It is important to get the right locks for your

window type. Ask a locksmith for advice.

REMEMBER…

Small windows like skylights need locks. Any

window that is larger than a human head is a

potential entry point for a burglar.

CHECK…

All windows are locked even if you are going

out for just a few minutes.

REMEMBER…

You will need to work out how to get out of

your home if a fire should break out, so make

sure that escape routes are not blocked by

furniture or storage containers, and that burglar-

proofed windows and doors can be unlocked

quickly if necessary.

It is important for windows to be easily

unlocked to allow you to air the rooms you

live and work in.






PROPERTY INVENTORY

You should keep a detailed inventory of all

your valuable property, especially those things

which are most likely to be stolen. Using the

principles of property marking, you should mark

and record the details, such as serial number,

make, model, colour, size and original cost,

of the following goods:

INSIDE THE HOME

Televisions

Video equipment and DVDs

Binoculars

Stereos and CDs

Microwaves

Cameras

Kitchen appliances

Sporting goods

Musical instruments

Computer equipment

Sewing machines

OUTSIDE THE HOME

Power tools

Lawn mowers

Trailers

Chainsaws

Garden tools

Bicycles

Welders

Tool boxes

You should photograph or video the following

goods (next to a ruler or matchbox to give an

indication of their size) and record their details:

Jewellery

Watches

Antiques

Silverware

Paintings and other artwork

Stamp, coin and other collections

Keep a separate list of your possessions – and the

photos or video tape of the goods that you cannot

engrave – in a safe place with your inventory list.

Not only will this help you if you have to report a

theft to your insurance company, but it will also

assist you and the police to identify what is yours.

ENGRAVING OR ETCHING

Engraving or etching is suitable for many hard

surfaces and can be done using an electric

engraving tool or a hand engraver. This method

leaves a visible and permanent mark.

ULTRA VIOLET OR ‘INVISIBLE’ MARKING

An ultra-violet (UV) pen can put an invisible mark

on your property which can only be seen using a

UV lamp. Remember that the mark can fade in

time, especially when exposed to sunlight, and can

be washed off, so it needs renewing regularly.

In some cities, local police stations and

Neighbourhood Watch branches will lend

you an engraving pen, or alternatively these or

marking pens can be purchased from your local

hardware store.

The best identification to use is your driver’s

licence number preceded by the initial of your

State (for example “V” 1616087). This is

recognised Australia-wide.

For more advice on marking your property,

contact your local police station.


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REMEMBER TO SECUREYOUR BIKE!

Don’t let your bike be one of the thousands stolen

each year. Bicycles are a popular target for thieves

because they can be easily sold.

You might be security conscious at home, but you

should practice bike security all the time.

HINTS...

Fit a good bicycle lock. Chains deter casual,

opportunist thieves but can be cut easily with

the right equipment. Rigid steel locks that need

a key for opening are better.

Check your bike is locked whenever it is left,

even if you are just popping into a shop.

Always lock your bicycle to something

immovable like a railing or lamp post. Try to

arrange it so the lock is attached to the frame

and one of the wheels, preferably the front

wheel. If you have quick release wheels

(common on racers) take off the front wheel

and lock it to the frame and back wheel,

or take it with you.

Mark your bike. Engrave or use a property

marking pen to mark the frame with your

post code and house number, driver’s

licence number or date of birth. Make a note

of your bicycle’s make, model, colour, size

and serial number.

Take lights and other accessories with you.

Don’t leave them on your bike as they are

easy to steal.

Check that your insurance covers theft of

a bicycle (and perhaps take out additional

cover if it does not).

Photograph your bike. This will make for easy

identification if the stolen item is recovered.

Report theft to the police.


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Documents

HELPING YOU TO RECOVER A number of agencies provide … · 2020. 5. 25. · makes your property safer. If you are away from your house, use timers on various lights within your home