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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Protect Your Home all around the year.
Dear residents as your local officers time to time we remind you, how to be safe, worry free and peaceful mind while you are at home or away. Burglary can have a real impact on your wellbeing and sense of safety. While we can’t be on every street at all times, your vigilance and simple security steps can make a big difference in keeping you, your home, and your neighbours safe.
Top 3 Tips to Stay Secure
🔐 Lock up and stay secure
Always lock doors and windows when you go out, even for a moment, and regularly update Key Safe codes.
👪 Make your home look lived in
Consider using timer switches, and if possible, install an alarm or CCTV. A home that looks occupied is far less attractive to burglars.
🎁 Keep valuables out of sight
Hide car keys, personal items
We’re Here to Help, But We Need Your Eyes and Ears Too
If you see or hear anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem, unusual activity, unknown vehicles, someone trying door handles, please report it to us right away.
Your call could prevent a crime, help us identify offenders, or reassure someone in your community.
A few minutes spent securing your home, and one quick call if something doesn’t feel right, can make all the difference.
~KEEPING YOUR SHED OR GARAGE SAFE AND SECURE~
Many people don’t secure their shed or garage in the same way they do their homes - often using an easy-to-break lock or padlock to protect valuable contents such as a car, bike or lawnmower.
~THINK LIKE A THIEF~
Take a look at your shed and consider how you would break in. It’s worth having a good padlock on the door with no exposed screws. Pay attention to hinges, as these are sometimes easily removable. If you have windows then these could be vulnerable unless they’re secured with wire mesh or grills. And keep it locked at all times.
~ALARM IT~
Consider a battery-operated shed alarm. They look low key but they respond to movement or door contact with an extremely loud siren.
~LOCK IT, HIDE IT, MARK IT~
Don’t give them the opportunity or the tools to commit a crime. Lock everything away securely. Tools can be locked inside a locker or box or secured with a chain.
Secure your bike to the ground or a lockable stand within a locked shed or garage. Visit Sold Secure to search for ground anchors and other locks designed to fix to floors and walls.
It’s always worth draping an old sheet or blanket over the top of mowers or bikes to keep them covered from view.
Although it might sound like stating the obvious, never leave your garage or shed door unlocked if you’re not around. Keep the door closed between uses so that no one can see what's inside.
Property mark your items and take photographs of them. Some tools can be painted with your name or postcode and forensic marking is also an option. You can also register any item that has a serial number with IMMOBILISE.
A locksmith belonging to the MASTER LOCKSMITH ASSOCIATION can advise you on the most secure shed and garage door security. They can also help you install it. Most also provide full home security surveys.
~THE TOP FIVE MOST COMMON ITEMS STOLEN FROM SHEDS~
1~Bikes
2~Mowers
3~Sports equipment
4~Power tools
5~Garden tools
An opportunistic burglar will try a shed or garage first because they can find the tools they need to break into the main house.
Shed and outbuilding security: first steps
First off, check that your insurance covers the contents of your shed or outbuildings from theft.
 While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Make sure that you: Double lock your door every time you leave the house If you can, move garden furniture or bins away from windows so that thieves cannot use them to gain access. Use laminated glass or security film on ground floor and accessible windows. Use a sash stop if you have sash windows to prevent people opening them enough to climb through. If your windows open outwards, use a key operated lock – check these are locked before leaving the house. Make sure all valuables are out of sight. Keep handbags and keys away from letterboxes or cat flaps. In the evening shut the curtains and leave lights on. Set your burglar alarm Lock your shed or garage Mark, register or record your valuables.
Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe. If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
