Old Coulsdon Residents' Association

Personal Safety

TIPS TO SECURE YOUR HOME .

Good home security is the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled.  The following tips may assist you in avoiding becoming a victim.   

• Fit security lighting, either dusk to dawn energy efficient lighting that will

come on automatically as dusk sets in, or a passive infra-red (PIR)

light that will draw attention to movement. 

• Use an automatic time switch on an indoor light, either in a room that

cannot be peered into from the road, or upstairs.  Consider drawing the curtains if you are in a room with the lights switched on.  Regularly change the timing on the switch. 

• Put a time switch on a radio that has been tuned to a chat station, this will

give the impression that the house is occupied. Again, regularly change the

timing on the switch. 

·       Property mark your valuables.  Where possible, do not leave items on show, which can be seen, from the street.  Register your property free of charge at www.immobilise.com. 

• Secure windows, paying particular attention to those on the ground floor

and above flat roof areas. Always use locks and bolts and keep all your keys,

including car keys, out of sight and out of reach. 

• Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and

secure.  Don’t forget to lock your shed; your tools can be used to break in.

Trim overgrown plants - don’t give burglars a hiding place. 

·         Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent against burglars.  Before choosing a system ensure it is the one most suitable for your needs. 

• Trust your instincts.  If you think a crime is about to happen or is in

progress dial 999. 

• If you require any further advice visit

www.crimereduction.gov.uk or www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Advice from Croydon Crime Prevention Officers

• Be vigilant - be aware of strangers appearing to be paying attention to your property. If you have any doubts, call the Police immediately on 999, and give them a full description of the suspect(s).
• Review your home security – contact the local Crime Prevention Office for advice and assistance on 020 8649 0170. Age Concern occasionally run discounted Home Security Schemes. For information and advice phone them on 020 8680 5450.
• Check external security for good lighting.
• Ensure any fencing is in good repair that there are adequate locks on gates.
• Trim back hedges that are obscuring your doors and windows.
• Make neighbours/friends aware of your personal circumstances.
• Consider the purchase of a home security system (intruder alarm) installed by an approved installer, or a personal attack alarm.
• If you are in a Neighbourhood Watch area, make contact with your Co-ordinator. To find out who your nearest co-ordinator is, call Sarah Gardner, the Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer at Croydon Police Station on 020 8649 0168.
• If you do not live in sheltered accommodation consider applying for a Senior Link Bogus Caller system, run by Help the Aged. Phone 01255 473999 for details.

Croydon Careline –a new community alarm scheme

 A new community alarm service was recently launched in April for all Croydon residents. The aim of the service is to enable vulnerable people to remain in their own homes giving reassurance and peace of mind that help can be obtained at the touch of a button. All that is needed is connection to a telephone point and nearby power socket. By pressing a button on the unit, or worn either as a pendant around the neck or on a wrist strap like a watch, a call is connected to the contact centre. They will know who is calling and where you are and if necessary they will call the local response team to visit the user’s home and assist with the emergency. 

 Their aim is to arrive at a service user’s house within 30 minutes. The service including equipment can be provided for a weekly charge of £4.50 (or £2.50 if in receipt of Pension Credit), plus a one-off charge of £15 to cover the visit to your home for installation. A team of trained, suitably equipped, council-run mobile response staff will be available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to provide support.

 This service will also help vulnerable people living in fear of crime, such as bogus callers. If you are unsure of a visitor at your door, the contact centre would give advice, reassurance and help you to verify the caller’s identify. Similarly, the service could assist people suffering domestic violence and racial harassment.  If you are interested in receiving further information, please contact Croydon Careline, Community Alarm Service on 020 8654 7166.

Women travelling alone at night

• Always keep to the main well-lit areas - even if it means making a longer journey.

• Carry a personal attack alarm. These are available from DIY stores and often from local police. It is a good idea to carry the alarm in your hand, so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker.

• If you are carrying a bag, keep it close to you, with clasps and zips pointing inwards.

• Keep house keys in your pocket, so that if your bag is stolen, a thief won't have your house keys and your address.

• If you think someone may be following you, check by crossing the street once or twice to see if they follow you. If it seems that they are, or you are still worried then go to the nearest place with people, such as a pub or shop and call the police. Avoid using a phone box in the street as an attacker may try and trap you inside.

• If you follow the same route regularly then it is a good idea to change your route from time to time.

• Make sure someone knows when to expect you home. A new service has been launched where a mobile phone text message can be stored with a delay of between 30 minutes and 24 hours, explaining where you are going and with whom. If the text is not cancelled in time it is sent to a friend or relative. To register visit www.safetytext.com

• In parks or commons keep to the main paths and open spaces - avoid wooded areas.

• If you are wearing a personal stereo remember that you cannot hear traffic or somebody approaching behind you.

• Don't take shortcuts through dark alleys.

• Walk facing the traffic, so a car can't pull up behind you.

• Don't hitch hike, or take lifts from strangers.

• Cover up expensive looking jewellery, and keep wallets and purses hidden away.

• At cash machines don't let anyone see your personal identity number.

• Never get into a taxi or minicab that you haven't pre-booked, or ordered by phone. Make sure the driver uses your name, so you can be sure they are from the firm you called. Remember, if you are in any doubt, don't get into the taxi at all. Do not sit in the front seat of the taxi - always sit in the back and if you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well lit area where there are plenty of people.

• If you are going on Public Transport try to stay away from isolated bus stops, especially after dark. If you are on an empty bus, sit near the driver or conductor. If you are on a train, sit in a compartment with lots of other people and check to see where the emergency chain is.

Mobile phones

Mobile phone is on the increase and thousands of phones are stolen by street robbers every month. To prevent being a victim of mobile phone theft you should:

• Try not to use your phone unless you have to and especially in crowded areas where someone could easily snatch it from you. Showing an opportunist mugger you have one could make you a target.

• Avoid keeping your phone in public view.

In case your phone is stolen you should keep a safe record of the following details - these will help to trace your phone and make it more difficult for thieves to use it and sell it on.

• Always use your phone's security pin code.

• Security mark the battery and phone with your postcode (UV pens are available from your local police station or DIY stores).

• Register your phone with your network operator- they will then be able to block your phone's SIM card if it is stolen.

• Make a note of the serial number of your handset - you can get this by typing *#06# into your phone. This number is unique to your handset. If your phone is stolen, this number will enable your phone manufacturer to block the actual phone handset. If you follow all of these precautions your phone will be effectively useless to thieves, making them less attractive to steal.

NEW MOBILE PHONE DATABASE LAUNCHED

A national database where mobile phone users can register their handsets in case they are lost or stolen has been launched by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears at New Scotland Yard.

To register, mobile phone users have to enter their phones unique IMEI number on the website www.immobilise.com   If a phone is found or recovered police will check it’s IMEI number on the database to see if it can be returned.  To register with Immobilise, get your phone’s 15 digit IMEI number by keying in *#06# on the keypad and write down the number, then visit the website to register.

During a pilot exercise some 10 million handsets were registered and already more than 2,000 lost phones have been returned to their owners.

REMEMBER - Your safety is more important than your property. If somebody attempts to snatch your bag, phone or your car, then the safest thing to do is to let them go.