Here at SFB we are passionate about securing our clients homes and businesses. We are also passionate about reducing crime and helping the communities in Essex to reduce their exposure to a crime taking place.
We have compiled a free advice sheet for everyone to read and hopefully help you become less of a target. Its not all about spending lots of money to be more secure!
 
The Police force says that residential homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Implementing just a couple of these steps could make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary.
 
• Good window locks and strong deadlocks on your doors can make an instant difference. Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you’re just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors, lift handle, turn key, remove key. (Lift, Lock, Remove)
 
• Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox) If you have keyless entry on any of your vehicles it is also a good idea to purchase a faraday bag to protect these from signal boosters.
 
• Install good external lighting around the premises, this can deter people from walking on to your driveway/garden as they are lit up and visible to other members of public (Neighbourhood Watch) in the area.
 
• Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme and enlist the help of your trusted neighbours to keep an eye on each other’s property.
 
• Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied, you can also purchase TV simulator lights that make it look like a TV is on behind the curtains.
 
• Install a visual burglar alarm that protects your property from intruders. These can be connected to your internet for instant mobile phone notifications or your phone line for phone call notifications.
 
• Ensure the fences around your garden and property are in good condition. Side/Rear gates should be locked to prevent easy access to the secluded parts of the property.
 
• Secure the bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage preventing them from being easily moved.
 
• Install a good quality High Definition CCTV System so that anyone looking around or acting suspiciously is caught on camera. Owning a CCTV system can also help victims of crime in the local area as the perpetrator may have walked/driven past your property while not hiding their identity. This can then help the Police to identify the criminal and secure a conviction.
 
• Keep ladders and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home. If you have to leave them outside secure them with a chain/lock to an immovable object.
 
• Look at the possibility of Improving your natural surveillance at the front of your property, for example keep high hedges or bushes trimmed.
 
• Mark your vulnerable property (Tablets, Mobile Phones etc) with your postcode and house number, you can register these for free with companies such as “Immobilise” .
 
• Do not display valuables near the windows at ground floor level. Also be mindful of what rubbish you place outside your property and be careful not advertise what you have purchased by placing the boxes outside on bin day.
 
• If you can, install a safe, Store any high value items such as jewellery, passports etc in it so they can not be stolen should the worst happen and someone gain access to your property.
 
Doors and windows
In most burglaries, criminals break into the house or flat through a door, either by forcing the lock or smashing it. Make sure your doors are strong and secure, consider fitting a bar for extra strength or deadlocks.
 
Glass panels on doors are particularly vulnerable, if you have one on your door you could replace it with laminated glass, which is stronger. You can also buy a film in a DIY store that you can stick over the glass to make it harder to break.
 
If your existing windows do not have incorporated locks most DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and those upstairs that are easy to reach.
 
Holiday Advice
If you are going away on holiday make your home looks like someone is home as much as possible:
 
• Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark.
 
• Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away, use the Royal Mail’s “keepsafe” service – they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you’re away.
 
• Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries so they do not sit unattended in the post box or on the porch
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• Avoid discussing holiday plans on social networking sites – burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage and your insurance company may void your cover if they see this.
 
• Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway.
 
We hope that you find the above useful and can implement some of these items easily. Obviously if you would like any help with this please feel free to contact us.
 
SFB Solutions