UNIT 4: I’VE BEEN BURGLED

Beat the burlar

DON’T FORGET

Postpone your property

In only 9% of cases where somehting has been stolen is property returned.

Marked proverty can deter burlars because it’s harder for a thief to sell and can help police to return
it if found.

Mark items with an indelible identidication – showing your postcode and the number of your house
or flat or the first two letters of its name – using a pernament etching tool or an ultraviolet market
pen. Only use UV marking when other methods woulf reduce the value of the object – because the
mark can fade.

The first half of the postcode indicates your town and district, such as: NT 42 9

The last 2 letter pinpoint one street or part of a street, such as: NT 42 9WA/

Mark you valuables using the postcode followed by your house number such as NT 42 9WA 7

Take the pictures of all valuable items like jewllery and silverware and write down the serial
numbers of your TV, videom hi-fi, home computer and camera equitment, to help the police
identify them should be coverd. If you have many valuable items, fit a safe.

Ask you local police for ‘postcoded property’ stickers to display in the front and back windows of
your house.

INSURANCE

Insurance will relieve you of the finance worry of replacing stolen goods and many insurance
companies offer reduced premiums for people with good home sercurity. The firm should tell you if
it minds which systems you buy.

SMOKE DETECTORS

With all sercurity, consideration must be given to the risk of fire and means of escape. Fit a smoke
detetor – a minimum of one per floor – installed to the manufacturers instructions.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

If you see anyone acitng suspicious in you neighborhood, call the police. There are now over
130,00 Neighborhood Watch Schemes in this country – why not join one? Anyone can start up a
Watch – call your police for details.

IF YOU ARE BURLED

A secure home will reduce the chance of you getting burgled. But, if you get home and notice signs
of a break-in:
Don’t go in or call out – the intruder could still be inside

Go to a neighbour’s house to call the police.

CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE

All police forces have offivers trained in crime prevention – contact your local station for advice.
Some forces can arrange surverys of your home or business premises and recommend scurity
improvements. This is a popular service – if there’s a waiting list, you may be sent a information
pack so that you can do your own survey.