Don’t Be Fooled By:

False appeals for help.

“Accidents” such as having you car rammed from behind.

Someone trying to get help from a stationary car.

your electric gates being jammed.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES REGARDING MY PROPERTY?

Ensure that anyone leaving your property can get into their car, start it, lock the doors and be fully prepared to drive off before the gates are opened. Consciously think about this every time someone leaves your premises.

If possible, ensure that anyone leaving you premises can do so without having to reverse into the road. Reversing forces one to concentrate on the driving and not what lies outside the gate. It also greatly reduces visibility.

If your visitors have to park in the street, escort them out on foot and check that the road is clear for them. If you have dogs, take them with you, especially after dark.

Ensure that your gates and driveways are well lit after dark. Replace fused light bulbs immediately.

Ensure that the number of your house is clearly visible at all times, night or day.

Install electrically operated gates – consider these now a necessity rather than a luxury.

If you have electric gates and a buzzer system, ensure that visitors can reach the buzzer without having to get out of their cars.

At the home, when someone rings the bell and you have established that the person can enter your property, do not leave them stationary waiting outside for longer than is absolutely necessary.

Either do not leave you property or hesitate to drive away from it if you spot a suspicious looking person or car in your immediate vicinity

Be particularly alert if you live in a cul de sac, given their single point of entry and exit. More and more residents are reverting to closing off cul de sacs and employing a guard at the entrance. However, when considering this, do not forget to liaise with the City Council.

When driving, avoid wearing flashy jewellery, heavy gold chains, large dangling earrings, gold watches, or anything that can be easily seen from a distance by a casual passer-by.

Never leave any important documents in your car, i.e. cheque books, bank statements, invoices, telephone accounts, credit cards, keys, remote controls or personal post, anything that may provide personal details, either while stationary or driving.

Vehicle tracking: the only solution to vehicle related crimes is to have tracking systems installed.