Easy Street Burglary Campaign 2021

Easy Street

Lock your way out of trouble

Door not locked and window open? 

What an easy day's work for a passing burglar on Easy Street.

Did you know - 25% of burglaries in West Yorkshire are through doors and windows that have been left unlocked?

Fact - a burglar prefers a house where windows are left open and doors unlocked. Sash jammers are a cost effective way of enhancing your security on your doors and windows. 

Easy Street

• Do you leave your doors/windows unlocked in any of the following situations?

1. Just got home from work
2. Doing a bit of gardening
3. Going to the local shop – only going to be 5 minutes

• It costs nothing other than your time to lock your door and windows
• Get into the habit of locking doors and windows when you are leaving or arriving home
• Try to make your home look occupied by using a timer switch or a fake LED TV simulator 
• Be proactive. Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street.
• We also have a Community Alert messenger system. You can register on: www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk  

Easy Street

Lightbulb moment 

Burglars operate unseen on Easy Street because homes are left in darkness. 

Did you know - lighting outside the property combined with other measures such as alarms and locks, will improve the overall security of your home.

Fact – a location where the criminal feels uncomfortable and exposed is less likely to be targeted.
 

Easy Street

• Do you have adequate external security lighting that illuminates your garden?
• Make sure any existing is maintained and in working order. If installing new lights, we recommend low energy lights known as dusk till dawn lighting
• Internally, do you use timer switches to illuminate your home when it is left unoccupied?
• Have you considered an intruder alarm to improve the physical security measures in your home? 
• Be proactive. Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street
• We also have a Community Alert messenger system. You can register on: www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk  

Easy Street 

What's your standard? 

The locks on Easy Street are old and easily breached. 

Did you know - over the last 10 years the standards of locks have improved and the percentage of attempted (non-successful) burglaries have increased, despite the number of actual burglaries having decreased.

Fact - the SS312 Diamond Standard and TS007 standard for euro-cylinder locks have played a large part in reducing the amount of locks being breached by burglars.

Question - do you know how to check the standard for your lock?

Easy Street

• Around 10% of all burglaries occur via ‘lock snapping’ 
• Not all locks are the same. A wooden door will require a different lock compared to a uPVC or composite door. Most wooden doors require a 5-lever mortice sash lock and deadlock 
• Does the euro-cylinder lock on your composite or uPVC door achieve a 3-star rating? A 3-star lock can offer greater protection against lock snapping attacks
• Euro-cylinder locks need to be fitted correctly so that they are not protruding from the door unit or handle
• Cost can be a factor so consider sash jammers as an alternative security measure
• Try to purchase security products that are Secured by Design (SBD) (www.securedbydesign.com) approved or Sold Secure tested (www.soldsecure.com). SBD and Sold Secure are a Police official security initiative and give accreditation to security products

Easy Street

What's on show today

Homes on Easy Street leave valuables on show for burglars walking past.

Did you know - some of the main items stolen in burglaries are car keys, jewellery and electrical devices.

Fact – one of the main motivations for burglars breaking into your home are for your car keys. A large proportion of modern vehicles have keyless entry and vehicles are often stolen with 'relay ignition devices'. A quality 'Faraday' bag that blocks the keys' signal is a great way to protect your vehicle from this type of theft.  

Easy Street

• Are valuable items such as car keys, phones and jewellery on show from your window? Consider what can be seen from outside
• Have you considered fitting a good quality safe or keeping your jewellery in a safety deposit box?
• Security marking your property makes it difficult for criminals to sell on
• Be proactive. Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street
• We also have a Community Alert messenger system. You can register on: www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk
• Try to purchase security products that are Secured by Design (SBD) (www.securedbydesign.com) approved or Sold Secure tested (www.soldsecure.com). SBD and Sold Secure are a Police official security initiative and give accreditation to security products

Easy Street

Grow your own garden security

The hedges on Easy Street are overgrown which restricts natural surveillance.

Did you know - using defensive planting, maintaining correct hedge heights and effective dusk to dawn lighting could enhance the security around your home and garden.

Fact - planting hardy shrubs along garden walls and fences can make it harder for burglars to access your property. 
 

Easy Street

• Boundary hedges should not exceed one meter in height, they could become a hiding place for criminals on your property. Side or rear boundaries should not exceed 1.8 meters
• Garden tools and ladders should be kept locked away when not in use
• Gardens should be kept tidy and looked after. Packaging from expensive purchases should be disposed of and not left on show
• Hardy plants and hedges create a barrier that may deter criminals from trying to climb over
• Make sure sheds, garages and outbuildings are secure. Use coach bolts, hasps, padlocks and shed bars to increase security
• Be proactive. Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street
• We also have a Community Alert messenger system. You can register on: www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk 
   

Easy Street

Make a mark on your property

Items on Easy Street are not security marked. 

Security marking property makes it harder for criminals to sell on, therefore less desirable to steal in the first place. 

Easy Street

• Property marking is a proven way of reducing crime 
• It is a low-cost option for safeguarding your property
• It can make it difficult for offenders to sell property on making it unattractive to steal in the first place
• Increases the chances of recovery in the unfortunate event of an item being stolen 
• Ideal for Cycle marking events. Many providers such as Selectamark, Smartwater are ‘Secured by Design’ accredited - www.securedbydesign.com
• Be proactive. Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street
• We also have a Community Alert messenger system. You can register on: www.wypcommunityalert.co.uk 

Crime Prevention Checklist 1

Euro Cylinder Locks

Love your locks. You deserve the highest standards

• Are the cylinder locks on your UPVC doors up to standard?
   
• Do they stick out from the door handle?
   
• Is the door handle secure?

Euro Cylinder Locks - Key Facts :

• All Euro Cylinder locks on the external doors to your home should either meet TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312)
• Door handles should meet TS 007 (2 star rating)
• Cylinders should be measured correctly and fit flush to the handle or door
• The installation of sash jammers can also act as an extra deterrent
• The Master Locksmiths Association is the industry authority for locksmiths in the UK – www.locksmiths.co.uk
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.

Crime Prevention Checklist 2

Sneak-in Burglary

“I’ll lock the door when I’ve finished my tea.”

“We just lock the door before we go to bed.”

“I just leave my bags and laptop by the door when I get in……..”

Sound familiar?

Sneak-in Burglary - Key Facts :

• Doors and windows should be locked at all times – it only takes 60 seconds or someone to reach through an open door or window
• Lock the doors, take the key out, don’t leave it on view or in reach of a letterbox or cat flap
• Always know where the house key is in case you need to get out in an emergency
• Don’t leave bags, laptops, tablets or keys just inside the door
• Make sure everyone in your home gets into the habit of being more secure
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.
 

Crime Prevention Checklist 3

Patio Doors

Patio doors...
or a shop window to your home?

Are your patio doors a bit secluded?

Are they as secure as they could be?

Do you leave attractive items on view through them?

Patio Doors - Key Facts :

• If you’re buying new patio doors make sure they meet PAS 24 standards
• Can your existing patio doors be lifted off their tracks and out of position? Keep them locked and the key in a safe
• place, rather than left in the lock
• If your patio doors have euro cylinder locks on them make sure they meet current standards – TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond standard for lock cylinders (SS312)
• Don’t leave attractive items on view through your patio doors – i.e. tablets, laptops or car keys
• A range of devices are available to improve patio door security – always consult your local Crime Prevention Officer to determine the best options for you
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.

Crime Prevention Checklist 4

Car Security

Show your car you care

Park safely, lock it & hide your keys

Is your car your pride and joy?

The biggest purchase after your house?

Are you doing everything you can to secure and protect it?

Car Security - Key Facts :

• If you’ve got a garage use it to park your car in, instead of using it as a storage room
• Lock the car, check the door handle before walking away and don’t leave the car keys on show or near a letterbox or cat flap
• All euro cylinder locks on the external doors to your home should either meet TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312)
• Check out www.thatcham.com to see what additional security measures may be available for your car
• CCTV and good exterior lighting could also deter an offender
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.

Crime Prevention Checklist 5

Burglary Prevention Advice

Don’t advertise your stuff

Put it out of sight locked up day & night

“I was in a rush to get out?”

“I’ll just move the stuff when I get back in?”

“Nobody is really going to look through the window when I’m out are they?”

Burglary Prevention Advice - Key Facts :

• Don’t leave attractive items such as laptops, tablets, phones, car keys, cash or jewellery on view through your windows
• Make sure you remove charger plugs for tablets and power cables for laptops from view when they’re not in use
• Make sure games consoles, controllers and games can’t be seen through the window
• Packaging from expensive items should be disposed of properly, don’t leave it against the bins and potentially advertise what’s in your home
• Don’t leave bags, laptops, tablets or keys just inside the door when you get home
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.

Crime Prevention Checklist 6

Garden Security

Hedge your bets

Stow the mower & the tools

Do you really need an 8 foot high hedge in front of your home?

Have you left anything in your garden that a burglar could use to break in?

Is the shed really secure?

Garden Security - Key Facts :

• Any hedges to the front of your home should not provide cover for a burglar to ‘work’ behind
• Garden tools should be locked away when you’re not using them
• Any rubble or household goods from refurbishment should be disposed of and not left in the garden
• Hostile planting could put someone off from climbing over your fence – prickly plants in your garden borders may provide a natural deterrent
• Make sure sheds, outbuildings and garages are as secure as possible
• Consider setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme on your street

For further crime prevention advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officers here, or by dialing 101 and asking for your District Team.