Christmas crime prevention advice

At this time of year thieves may look to take advantage and see your home as a free shopping experience by stealing the gifts you’ve bought. 

Here are some useful tips to reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim: 

Make your home look lived-in 
Make sure your home looks occupied even when it’s not. This can be with timers for your lights – if they plug into a socket – or by using an Alexa or Google Home.

Let there be light
The outside area around your home can provide all sorts of nooks and crannies for would-be criminals to skulk in. You might have a high wall or hedge that provides cover during the hours of darkness. Providing light in these areas will reduce the opportunity for would be burglars to conceal themselves. 

Look after packages 
Having an outdoor security camera or video doorbell is a great way to deter quick-fingered thieves, as well as providing crucial evidence should the worst happen. If you know you’re not going to be home for some deliveries, you could divert them to a trusted neighbour – ask first! – or a family member who will be home when you’re not.

Lock everything
It may sound simple, but taking the time to do a quick double-check of your doors and windows could make all the difference. Forgetting to lock up or leaving a window ajar – even if you’re just nipping to the shops – provides the opportunity burglars may be looking for. 

Limit access to house keys
Never leave keys hidden under a plant pot or mat outside, as burglars know where to look. If you really need to leave keys outside, so family and friends have access to your property, buy a key safe or install a keyless lock and share access.

Letterbox fishing
You should also keep keys out of reach. If you have glass doors, make sure that would-be thieves can’t see where you are keeping your keys.

Be careful what you post on social media
Be careful what you post on social media. Sharing holiday countdowns or updates while you’re away is an open invitation for burglars to head into your home with the knowledge that they won’t be disturbed.

Keep cash in the bank
Never keep large amounts of cash at home. It can be tempting to keep cash around, especially if giving cash gifts to relatives and grandchildren. Consider fitting a safe at home. 

Keep calendars out of sight
Appointments and festive holidays listed on calendars will give potential intruders a window of opportunity to break into your home undisturbed. Ensure information on any calendars cannot be easily viewed through a window. Ideally, use a digital or online calendar, such as one on your phone or computer.

Don’t leave presents under the tree
Do not to leave presents under the tree, particularly if they’re visible from windows or doors.

Recycle packaging of expensive presents
Dispose of present packaging carefully, empty boxes left outside can advertise that you have new and desirable goods inside your home. It’s a good idea to recycle packaging, taking Christmas present boxes – especially for big-ticket items such as phones or games consoles – to your nearest recycling centre.

Garden and garage security 
With the colder weather, you may not be thinking about your outdoor furniture, lawn mower, or garden tools – but thieves might be. Your back garden can be just as much of an entry point into your home as the front door, so make sure you consider garden security, too.

If you have a garage or shed, use it to lock up outdoor tools, accessories and bikes – anything that could be of any value. Consider properly securing bikes, even if they are locked in the garage. Add these areas to your list of daily checks to ensure doors and windows are locked, and consider adding outdoor cameras to man these areas.

Hide expensive items
Whether it’s gifts for someone special or items you have in your home anyway, consider taking a few extra steps to keep anything of value out of sight of prying eyes. Keep phones and tablets away from windows where they can be easily spotted, and make good use of curtains and blinds to shield TVs and gaming systems. Again, it may sound simple, but it only takes a glance of a big ticket item to potentially entice someone inside when they shouldn’t be there.

Speak to your neighbours
If you have friends or family close by or trusted neighbours, you could ask them if they wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on your home for you – especially if you’re going away for a few days. This could mean putting out the bins, taking in packages or turning lights on and off to give the illusion that someone is home. Or, if there is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area, you might consider getting involved to gain and provide support this festive season. 

Arm your security system 
Heading out for a day of Christmas shopping or doing the school run? Don’t forget to arm your home security system. Even if you’re only going to be out for a short time, it could only take minutes for someone to gain entry to your home and make off with your valuables. Don’t forget to clean your keypad, burglars may look for a build up on specific keys and use this to guess your security code.