PERSONAL SAFETY INFORMATION

This advice is for those who enjoy shopping trips in town centres and retail parks, I include myself in this! We need to take care of our personal belongings. Its convenient to leave our handbags and shopping bags on the floor while we rifle through sale rails or pay at the till points. Unfortunately by doing this we are almost inviting opportunistic thieves to help themselves to our property. Here are a few simple reminders, and no Im not asking you to wrap yourself in cotton wool as well(!).

Don't leave bags in trolleys, and certainly not to be left unattended

Keep clasps on handbags closed

Keep your handbag tucked under your arm or if it has an over the body strap, place the bag at the front of your body and place your hand over the top.

Gentleman be careful of keeping your wallet in your back trouser/jean pocket, perhaps put it in a coats zip up pocket or in the front pocket of jeans/trouser (though the cut of your trouser may suffer, its better than your finances!)

Be aware of who may be in your personal space, if you feel a little invaded move slightly to give yourself more room and them less opportunity.

The Police work in conjunction with partnership agencies to be proactive against offenders who use opportunities to steal from shoppers.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/community_safety/personal_safety.asp

GENERAL HOME SECURITY ADVICE

Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves.

* In 2 out of 10 burglaries no force is used, they simply enter through an open door or window. It is very difficult to make your house totally burglar proof, but you can defeat most burglars.

* Try looking at your home through a burglar's eyes - look for places they could break in unseen. How strong are your locks on both the windows and doors; are there high hedges, trees or fences for the opportunistic thief to hide behind and hide vulnerable windows?

* The enemies of the burglar are noise and time. If your security measures mean that the burglar has to take a lot of time or make a lot of noise they can be put off. Great tips include planting plants with sharp spikes on in front of windows and down-pipes, laying pea-shingle on flowerbeds, gravelling paths and driveways and fitting window alarms.

Leave a light on in the evening when you go out; be selective as if you really were in the house. Ask yourself what lights would be on.

Do not leave a spare key hanging inside the letterbox, under plant pots or doormats or anywhere else around your home. Thieves know all the hiding places and you will just make their job easier.

Many doors offer as much protection from a determined criminal without a key as they do with one, so you could be at risk despite any other security measures you might employ. This is particularly true of outside doors that include any glass, which can easily be smashed to aid a thief's entry.

Outside doors are safest when fitted with what is called a "five-lever mortice deadlock". You can buy these in most DIY shops, but be sure to look at the facing plate (that's the bit in the door where the bolt pops out when the key is turned) and for extra piece of mind, you should see a "kite mark" showing the British Standard and the words five-lever, or similar.

In some cases, your external door may not be thick enough for a five-lever mortice lock, as the recommended thickness is 44mm. If it isn't, you should look for a "high security rim deadlock" also carrying the British Standard BS3621.

Door hinges also need to be sturdy as thieves can easily remove them. Make sure they are secured with good long screws, and for extra security fit hinge bolts to reinforce the hinge side of the door against attack.

Glass in doors can be prone to attack but you can minimise the risk by fitting toughened laminated glass (two sheets of glass with a plastic sheet between them).

Security on integral doors is equally as important as on external ones. Doors leading from the inside of the garage to your home for example should also be fitted with 5 lever mortice locks and hinge bolts.

Fit a restrictor to the inside of your letterbox to stop anyone reaching through to release any locks and bolts. Fit a peephole, otherwise known as a "viewer", so you can see who's knocking before opening the door.

All doors that you would usually lock from the inside should be fitted with mortice security bolts, one third from the top of the door and one third from the bottom. Laminated glass is the best security option for glazed areas and wooden beading should be glued and fixed with security screws. On modern double glazed units ensure the beading, which holds the glass in, is not on the outside as this makes it easy for a thief to remove the glass.

Patio doors are especially vulnerable to break-ins, so additional security locks should be fitted at the top and bottom to stop the frame being lifted off the tracks, and ensure that the sliding section is always on the inside. A multi-lock system is recommended with mortice security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors, and locks that prevent the doors from being lifted out of their runners. In addition to a multi-lock you should consider installing further security devices such as a burglar alarm or security lighting for overall protection.

Remember, quality locks and bolts are only as strong as the door and the frame to which they are fitted. Check that the frame is well fixed, and if the woodwork is weak or rotten make sure you replace it.

Using external lighting that has been properly fitted and well positioned outside your home can be an excellent deterrent to burglars and other unwelcome visitors.

The type of lighting you choose depends on your lifestyle and therefore your requirement.

There are basically 3 types of lighting:

Static Lighting - controlled by you from inside the house. This is a lamp or garden lights which will be controlled with a switch, normally from inside your home.

Passive Infra Red/Motion detectors - this will give the impression that it is a darkened area and will only come on once someone has made the decision to enter your property. Be very careful how you position these lights as they can be accidentally set off by small animals or birds at night causing false alarms and annoyance not only to you but also your neighbours.

Photosensitive lights - these will come on as darkness falls. They are controlled by a switch in your home or by solar energy. They are normally low power.

Security lights can be easily tampered with from ground level. Position them high enough so they cannot be reached. Ensure you have one placed near your front door that will not only provide you with enough light to find your door keys, but will allow you to identify anyone who may come to your door without casting a shadow.

Often, floodlights are fitted with motion detectors that activate the light when anyone enters the space around your home. Always follow the instructions for fitting these lamps so that small animals or birds don't accidentally set them off repeatedly during the night - causing false alarm and annoyance.

If a motion detector is fitted you should be able to aim this without moving the light to ensure that only people on your own property set it off.

Lights should be pointed down so that they only shine on your property. If they shine on other houses or through neighbours' windows it is considered a form of pollution. Take notice and be understanding of any complaints, otherwise your neighbour may rightfully inform the authorities.