Southampton Police on Facebook – October 2025: Crime Prevention Advice to prevent burglaries during these darker evenings and longer nights

“As you know the evenings are starting to draw in and the nights are getting longer.

Our officers have been on patrol following a number of recent residential burglaries.

As such, we want to offer local residents some crime prevention advice.

Consider each layer of your home separately, like peeling an onion, think about the PERIMETER (fences, walls, garden planting, garage, outbuildings), the SHELL (main building, windows, locks, doors), INTERIOR (high-value items, keys, lighting). There is a good checklist available explaining detailed and easy action that can be taken on the Neighbourhood Watch website.

There are certain measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim yourself,

such as:

• Don’t leave curtains/blinds open, and don’t leave valuables on show.

• If you are going away, ask a neighbour or friend to check your house regularly.

• Buy timer switches for lamps and radios to give the impression that someone is home.

• Install an alarm system and ensure the alarm box is clearly visible.

• Don’t leave keys in doors – remove them and keep them close at hand but out of sight where

you can easily find them in an emergency.

• Don’t leave your house unattended with windows open and unlocked – even for just a minute.

• If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors and windows are closed.

• Never leave a key under a doormat or on a string through the letterbox

For further prevention measures visit the websites below:

Locks, window, door and garage security: https://orlo.uk/VSy2g

Burglar alarms: make sure you use an approved installer from https://orlo.uk/dt1T9

Sheds – keep equipment and ladders locked away. Visit https://orlo.uk/ahKs4 for tested and approved locks

Dusk to dawn or sensor lighting to the front and rear of your home can help deter potential thieves.

A house that appears occupied is less likely to be targeted by burglars, installing light switch timers inside the house can help make it appear occupied.

Keep high value, easily portable jewellery and equipment from being visible through a window and don’t forget to register them at” https://orlo.uk/3xu9c