Town centres - crime prevention
Personal safety
Violent attacks are extremely rare in Rochdale, however, it is
still important to be vigilant.
- If you have to walk home alone after dark, keep to busy well
lit roads.
- Even if you don’t feel it, try to look confident. Attackers are
cowards and will be more likely to choose those who look
vulnerable.
- If the street is deserted, walk down the middle of the footpath
and keep in well-lit areas.
- If you think you are being followed, cross the road and keep
walking. If you still feel you are being followed, head for a busy
area or a lighted house to ask for help.
- Cover jewellery and tuck in scarves so they cannot be grabbed
from behind.
- Listening to a personal stereo could prevent you from hearing
an attacker approaching you from behind.
- Carry a personal attack alarm in your hand and not the bottom
of your bag.
- If you carry a bag, carry it close to you with the fastening
next to your body. Preferably use a shoulder bag.
- If someone tries to grab your bag, let it go.
- Keep your house keys in your pocket, rather than your bag.
- When you go out, tell someone what time you will be
returning.
Personal safety and mobile phones
Street robbers steal thousands of mobile phones every month and
young people are especially vulnerable. By taking a few simple
steps you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of mobile phone
theft.
What you can do:
- Providing the Police with some basic information about your
phone (see below) can make it more difficult for a thief to
use.
- The 15-digit serial or IMEI number helps to identify your phone
– key in *#06# into your phone or look behind the battery.
- Security mark the battery and phone with your postcode and
house number.
- Register your phone with the operator. If you report your phone
stolen, the operator should then be able to bar the SIM card.
- When using your phone, remain aware of your surroundings and do
not use it in crowded areas, or where you feel unsafe.
- Avoid displaying your phone in public. Keep it with you at all
times and do not leave it unattended.
Protect your Property
There are many ways to secure your property:
- Burglar alarms - A visible burglar alarm makes
burglars think twice. Alarm systems are widely accepted as an
effective deterrent for burglars providing a useful warning and
limited theft and damage to premises. Obtain Quotes from at least
three reputable firms from either SSAIB or Nacoss Alarm Inspection
Bodies before deciding which system best suits your needs. The
system should meet British standards 4737. You can now have your
alarm monitored relatively cheaply.
- Security lighting - Keep areas well-lit,
including the porch.
- Window locks - Ground-Floor windows and easily
accessible upstairs windows should be fitted with key-operated
window lock security.
- Security door viewer - Designed for solid
doors, to allow you to see who is calling at your home, before you
open the door.
- Door Locks - Fit a rim lock approved to
BS3621/80 or fit a rim lock with a separate mortice dead lock
(approval BS3621/80), below the centre rail.
- Security lighting - Use external lighting to
eliminate dark areas.
- Anti-lift devices - Fit on patio doors, plus
patio door locks, top and bottom of each door.
- Hedges and shrubbery - Use thorny and prickly
species to discourage unlawful access and prevent hiding places.
Also keep shrubs low in height and well trimmed.
- Lockable gates - Fit to prevent access to the
rear.
- Rear door - Fit a good quality five-lever
mortice lock (to BS3621).
- Mortice security bolt - Fit a pair of door
security bolts. One at the top, one at the bottom. Mortice Bolts
would add security if a different door is used as entry/exit
point.
- Timer operated lights - This device can be
programmed to switch on lights externally or internally during the
hours of darkness or for any time in between. A plug-in timer can
also switch on a radio tuned to a talk channel, giving the
impression that your home is occupied. Some models allow for multi
on and off periods.
The Community Safety Officers can provide advice and information
on securing your property.
Property marking
In the unfortunate event of a burglary, help the police
identify your property quickly…
Keep an accurate list of your valuables.
Postcode and house number your property using ultra-violet pens,
paint, etching, stamping and by using a hot soldering iron into
plastic covers.
Use a video camera to record electrical items, CD’s, antiques,
serial numbers and so on; the police can obtain a photo from this
for specific items for enquiries.
Your local police and Community Safety Officers will be able to
advise you on the most appropriate methods.
Jewellery and other items
List them separately will a full description, including
hallmarks, kind of metal, number of stones, types of settings and
any identifying features, particularly marks, scratches, dents or
blemishes. Sketches and photographs are useful.Engraving or etching
Suitable for many hard surfaces and can be done using electric
engraving tool or a hand engraver. This method leaves a visible and
permanent mark.
Ultra-violet or ‘invisible’ marking
Ultra-Violet (UV) pens can put an invisible mark on your
property which can only be seen by using a UV lamp.
Use
UV
marking when other
methods would reduce the objects value. The mark can fade,
especially when exposed to sunlight, and can be washed off, so it
needs renewing regularly.
Ceramic marking
Ceramic marking pens mark china, glass or any glazed surface.
They do not cut or scratch the surface but leave a permanent
mark.
Punching
Mark heavier metal items, such as lawn mowers, with a hammer and
a set of punches. Choose somewhere behind of underneath the article
– but not somewhere so hidden that the police would not be able to
find it. You can get easy to use property marking kits from
stationers and DIY stores.
Worth taking? Worth marking!
Look around your home, garage and shed. Consider all the things
you would be sorry to loose or find hard to replace, then mark
them. Property Marking is a recognised way of discouraging crime. A
marked item is much harder for thieves to pass on. The Police do
recover a large amount of stolen property but often it can not be
returned to its owner as it is not identifiable. By marking your
property you will also increase the opportunity of recovery if
stolen.
What else can you do?
Most reported crime is property related crime rather than crimes
of violence. Thieves will try to pass on stolen property by various
means, this can be via a handler of stolen property, or direct to
those tempted to buy something “cheap”.
We all in some way pay for the cost of crime. The Association of
British Insurers estimates the average cost of crime per household
is £31 a week. (A national bill of £35 billion).
Do you know who is selling or offering stolen property in your
area, perhaps you may know who is handling or receiving stolen
property for thieves? Contact Crimestoppers:
Crimestoppers - tel: 0800 555111