Police advise residents on howto beat burglars this summer

Sussex Police are advising residents on how to enjoy the hot summer weather while protecting their home and property.
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Police

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Summer is a time of warm days when windows, doors and garages are often left open, and tools and valuables may be left lying around outside.

“The most common cases of opportunist summer burglary involve offenders who enter an insecure front door while residents are in the back garden, enter doors that are closed but unlocked at night while residents are asleep and reach through windows to take valuable items.

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“If you are out in the back garden, ensure that your front door is secure.

“Put your garden tools and games away into a secure garage or tools shed after using them, they could be used to break into your home, or your neighbours’.

“When you leave a room unattended, close the windows and doors - especially on the ground floor.

“If you want to leave windows open while you sleep, fit window restrictors so they cannot be fully opened, or make sure they are not large enough to allow access to a burglar.

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“Keep all wallets, purses, credit cards, car keys and other valuables out of sight.

“Consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to help deter burglars. Even using pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and spiky plants in garden beds can help.

“If you park your car out in the countryside, take your bag or wallet with you and don’t leave other belongings on view in your car. Even an old coat left in sight could tempt someone to break in.”

Further advice includes considering the installation of intruder alarms and registering property with www.immobilise.com to increase chances of it being returned if stolen and later recovered.

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Detective Chief Inspector Tanya Jones said: “A burglar can be in and out of your home in minutes.”

If a crime is believed to be in progress, dial 999 immediately and ask for police, otherwise phone 101.

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