Policing and public safety

Home Safety and Security

Housing Support Service

This is a service provided jointly by the Council and the Helping Hands charity. It is for people who have been assessed as requiring the service and who qualify for Supporting People Funding. It can provide help with replacing smoke detector batteries, fitting door locks/bolts, changing curtains and installing telephone extensions as well as many other low level maintenance tasks. Select here for more information about the Housing Support Service

Securing your home

Here are some ways that you can protect your property:

• Security mark your property with a UV marker pen. You can use this pen to place an invisible imprint of your postcode and house number on your possessions.
• Placing a sticker on a conspicuous window of your home that states your possessions have been security marked will also help to deter thieves. Ask for one of these stickers at your local police office.
• Most house break-ins are committed by opportunist thieves who do not have to break-in due to a door or window having been left open, so keeping your home securely locked at all times is the best deterrent to thieves.
• Speak to the crime prevention officer at your local police office about the safety devices (locks, timers, lighting etc) and procedures (closing curtains after dark, cancelling regular deliveries when you are on holiday etc) that you can put in place to increase the security of your property.
• If you live in a housing block and it does not have a telephone entry system, talk to your landlord or council about installing one. This may be easier to organise if you get together with other residents.
• If you live in shared accommodation, avoid putting your name or room number on your keyring. If it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them to your home and your property.
• If other people - such as previous tenants - could be in possession of keys that fit the locks in your home, then change the locks.
• Do not give keys to tradesmen as they can make copies quickly and easily.
• If you see signs of a break-in at your home - like a smashed window or an open door - don't go in. The burglar may still be inside. Instead, go to a neighbour and call the police.
• If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative to accompany anyone who wants to view the house. Opportunist thieves can use such opportunities to steal your possessions.