a guide to help prevent crime occurring in and around your ......if you are worried, ask a...
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HOME SECURITY SURVEYA guide to help prevent crimeoccurring in and around your home
Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in needwww.west-midlands.police.uk
The Police understand that burglary canbe emotionally devastating andfinancially costly to victims and theirfamilies.
This information offers you practicaladvice on how to improve the security ofyour home and protect your belongings.
You can use this simple Home SecuritySurvey to identify weaknesses in yourown home security and do somethingabout it by following the advicecontained in this leaflet.
How to Use the ChecklistUse the checklist, together with thenotes at the front of this booklet.Consider each item and decide “does itrequire attention or not?” and tickappropriately. If attention is required tickoff the ‘Action Taken’ box when youhave taken action to rectify the problem.
At the end of your survey you should beable to identify any weaknesses in yourhome security. You will know when youhave done all that you can as each itemshould be ticked as ‘yes’ or ‘action hasbeen taken’
1. LightingCriminals prefer to commit crime wherethey cannot be seen. Opportunistthieves often target houses that look likeno-one is at home, so consider installingtimer switches to lights around thehouse so it appears that the property isoccupied. Consider fitting sensorlighting, which will activate from dusk todawn, to the front and back of yourhome.
2. Overgrown shrubs or bushes Keep a check on your own plantingsaround your home. If they get out ofhand they can assist criminals withhiding places. Plantings should ideallybe no more than one meter high andtree canopies no lower than two metresfrom the ground. High hedges at thefront of your property will reduce naturalsurveillance and allow intruders tooperate without being seen. This mayprevent your neighbours from seeingany criminal activity and raising thealarm for you. We recommend lowhedges at the front of your property andhigh hedges to the rear.
3. Stepping StonesThese are all those opportunities for acriminal to gain access to your gardenby using anything convenient to climbover your fence. This could be as simpleas a 1m fence joining a 2m fence, or adustbin or even a pile of wood. Checkthe outside perimeter of your propertyfor anything that might be of use to thecriminal to climb over your fence.
Crime Prevention
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4. FencingIs your fencing in good condition? You are alloweda 1m fence at the front and a 2m fence at the rearof your property. Front fences will create adefensible space; rear fences will form a securebarrier against intruders and can be increased inheight with trellis where necessary. Barbed wire,razor wire and carpet gripper etc. should not beused as you have a duty of care to prevent anyoneaccidentally injuring themselves. Trellis should notbe robust enough to become a climbing aid andthe diamond shaped trellis is the preferred style asit is harder to climb. If using fence panels withconcrete posts then these need to be secured withgalvanised strips to stop offenders from lifting thepanels.
5. DoorsYour front door should be in good condition and ofstrong design. Wooden doors should be solidtimber with a British standard 5 lever mortice lockand a deadlocking rim lock on. Consider whenyour keys were last replaced, whether past ownersor tenants may still have access to your home, andwhether anyone may have made copies of yourkeys without your knowledge. If you are worried,ask a professional locksmith to change your locksand fit an approved patented system, wherebykeys can only be copied with proof of ownership.The door should be fitted with a door viewerunless any callers can be clearly seen by othermeans. When considering buying new doors thesecurity standard is PAS 24 (2012 or 2016) orLPS1175 Security Rating 2, which isrecommended by Secure by Design.
UPVC doors should always be locked with a keyand ensure you engage the multi lockingmechanism.
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6. WindowsCheck the strength and condition ofyour windows and frames. Rememberthe most vulnerable windows are thoseat ground level and any above a flat roof.
Wooden windows can be just as strongas UPVC windows providing goodhinges and locks are used. Normaldouble glazed units do offer a good levelof security under normal circumstances.Consider fitting laminated glass if youhave a considerable fear of crime.Security films are also available, whichcan be applied to glass to give it theproperties of laminated glass. Alwaysconsult a specialist.
If considering new windows, ensure thatall opening windows are fitted withmulti-point locking and shoot bolts.Remember to make sure you canescape from an upstairs window in theevent of a fire. The Standard is PAS242012-2016.
7. GatesDo you have gates that will deterintruders? Any side gates shouldalways be kept locked and bolted andbe in good working order. Again trelliscould increase the height if required, butmake sure this does not create aclimbing aid when used with thesupporting rails.
8. Defensive PlantingSpiky or thorny plants can provide aneffective barrier to intruders, there is alist at the back of this leaflet that willhelp you decide what type of plants arebest. You can use such plants toimprove security at the perimeter of yourhome where an intruder may try to climba fence, wall or gate. Ask at your local
garden centre what is available, and howto use it. Remember to ask how quicklyit grows and how big it will get.Defensive planting can also be usedunder any accessible windows to stopoffenders gaining access to them toeither look inside or attack.
9. Garden Ornaments and plantsSome of your garden ornaments andplants may be very expensive and verydesirable to a thief. It is suggested thatyou use low value plants and ornamentsat the front of the property which may betargeted by thieves, and keep the bestornaments and plants for the privacy ofyour rear garden.
10. Items of use to a criminalOften criminals are opportunists and arenot necessarily prepared for what theydo. If you leave items out for them suchas ladders, garden implements, or evena plant pot to put through a window thenyou make their job easier. Check aroundyour property both front and back, andremove or lock up items the criminalmight find useful to commit the crime.
11. DustbinsDustbins have uses for criminals. Theyuse them to climb over fences, climb upto open windows and to wheel awayyour stolen goods. Make a secure fixingthat the dustbin can be secured to awayfrom side gates, flat roofs and windows.
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12. Garden ShedMake sure that your garden shed issecure. Valuable items such as fishingtackle and golf equipment should not bestored there. If the shed cannot besecured then make sure no items arestored there that could be used to breakinto your home, such as ladders, gardentools and electrical equipment. Makesure that the roof and walls of the shedare fixed and robust in construction. Anyglazed panel should be internallyprotected using, for example, timberbatons, chicken wire or hard board.Consider chaining all larger itemstogether with a chain and padlock. Alsoconsider fitting a shed alarm.
13. Net curtains/ BlindsNet curtains do a simple job. They allowyou to see out of the house but preventanyone looking in. If intruders can’t seein then they can’t see what you haveand are not tempted to try. If you haveblinds fitted ensure they are closed orangled sufficiently to serve the samepurpose.
14. Valuable Items on displayIt is a good idea if you can placevaluable items such as laptops, tablets,games consoles, smart phones' andthen carry onto TV's etc. away fromview. Again remove temptation andremove the risk.
15. House AlarmIf you want a professionally fitted housealarm you will have to approach areputable company. The regulatorybodies for alarm companies are SSAIBand NSI. Any companies who aremembers of these organisations willprovide a quality product and service.Alarms should have dual or Quad techsensors, live front and back bell boxesand have auto dialler fitted as standard.If you do fit an alarm, consider who willrespond to it. Do not just assume thatsomeone will respond if it is a bells onlyalarm. Locate friendly neighbours whoagree that they will check the premises ifthe alarm activates.
16. Bogus CallersDo not open door to unknown persons.If genuine they will call back or considerusing the password scheme run by allgeneral utility companies.
17. InsuranceInsurance gives peace of mind and maynot be as expensive as you may think. Ifyou are a homeowner then you will needto insure the building, but contentscover should be considered.
5
18. Property Marking / trackingMark valuables using one of thenumerous methods of marking that areavailable, such as engraving for jewellery.
Remember if it is marked and stolen youstand a greater chance of getting it back.It will also be of reduced value to thethief.
Make a note of all serial numbers ofelectrical goods etc. using the formprovided in this booklet.
Download tracking Apps onto laptops,mobile phones etc.
Keep valuables items, such as jewellery,hidden and preferably locked away. Donot leave safes unsecured in wardrobes.
19. Car ParkingNever leave Keys in ignition (warmingor defrosting the car), or near a windowor door. If the only place to park is out onthe street then fit a car alarm, vehicleimmobiliser, steering wheel locks orwheel clamps. If you have a drive orgarage please use it. Park your car undera window or consider installing anexternal light to light up the parking areaat night. Put up gates or a security postand lock them at night. Make sure yourcar is locked if left unattended.
20. FinallyDON’T keep large quantities of cash inthe house.
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Useful websites
The Secured by Designinitiative supports the aimof ‘designing out crime’from homes andcommercial premises.
Look for this logo and you can be surethat Crime Prevention has been takeninto account at the design andconstruction stage.www.securedbydesign.com
Sold Secure is one of theUK’s leading testing andcertification agencies forSecurity Products. Startedby the Police in the early90’s this non-profitdistributing company isdedicated to the reduction
of crime through rigorous testing againststringent test standards, replicating whatthieves do, to ensure that approvedproducts provide an adequate level ofsecurity. www.soldsecure.com
Victim Support www.victimsupport.org
Crime stoppers0800 555111
Local Police Team101www.west-midlands.police.uk
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Your premises Action required Action taken
Front of house and boundary Yes No
Overgrown shrubs and bushes
Stepping stones
Defensive planting
Garden ornaments and plants
Items of use to a burglar
Lighting
Gates
Fences
Tools
Live alarm box
Front Door Yes No
Strength of door
Frame reinforcement
Five lever morticelock or 3 star
Securable letterbox
Door viewer
Door chain / bar
Door glazing
Glazing near to door
Windows Yes No
Condition
Glazing
Sash locks
Window locks
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Your premises Action required Action taken
Inside Your House Yes No
Net curtains / blinds
Valuable items on display
Insurance - home contents
Insurance - buildings
Photographs of expensive Items
Note of model and serial numbers
Property marked
Timer switches on lights
Large amounts of cash
A safe
House Alarm
Rear of house and boundary Yes No
Overgrown shrubs and bushes
Stepping stones
Defensible planting
Trellis or fence toppings
Valuable garden items
Items of use to a burglar
Dustbin
Shed
Fence
Gates
Lighting
Live alarm box
9
RECORD OF YOUR VALUABLE ITEMSPlease examine your property and record details below for future reference, also consider
photographing items.
Date of Purchase Value Make Model Colour Serial Number
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DEFENSIVE PLANTING – Ramblingand climbing Roses Climbing and rambling roses are usedup walls, trellises, pillars, fences, posts,trees and any unsightly area within thegarden.
Rambling roses generally have stemsthat are much more lax and pliablemaking them easier to grow throughtrees, hedges and fences. They are alsovery useful as a screen in the garden.
For further advice you can visit yourlocal garden centres.
Rambling Rose examples: Bobbie James -Huge sprays ofsemi-doublecreamy whiteblooms, scented.Very vigorous.Summerflowering. Goodfor climbing intotrees and hedges.Size: 9m x 6m.
Kiftsgate -extremelyrampant ramblerbearing hugetrusses of smallsingle creamyflowers. Strongfragrance.
Summer flowering. Suitable for growinginto a tree. Red hips in autumn. Size: 9m x 6m
All of the below are suitable fordefensive planting around your garden.They all have thorns and spikes whichcan prevent an intruder from gainingaccess to your garden. They are allavailable from local garden centres. Ifyou are unsure about the suitability of aplant you see, consult the staff at thegarden centre and will be happy to help.
11
Juniperus x media Juniper 'Old Gold' Evergreen, golden tipped foliage
Juniperus horizontalis, ‘wiltonii’, Creeping Juniper Blue carpet
Mahonia bealei 'Winter sun' Evergreen with yellow flowers
Gunnera Manicata-Giant Rhubarb Rhubarb like leaves on erect stems
Picea pungens 'Globosa' Blue Spruce Spiky needles
Phyllostachys aurea - Golden Bamboo Very graceful
Ulex europaeus Common gorse
Pyracantha Climbing evergreen, 10 ft
Hippaphae rhamnoides Large thorny shrub with silver foliage
Berberis julianae Yellow, early flowering
Berberis stenophylla Graceful evergreen, prickly branches
Berberis ottawensis superba Rich purple foliage
Berberis gagnepainii 18 ins
Berberis Thunbergii-Autropurpurea 3 ft
Berberis Buxifolia Nana 2 ft
Berberis Calliantha 3-4 ft
Berberis Candidula 3-5ft (slow growing)
Berberis Dictyophylla Hawthorn
Berberis Verruculosa 4-5 ft
Crataegus Monogyna 3-5ft
Mahonia Bealei Ground cover, shrubs and hedges
Chaenomoles Japonica Hedge, trim to required height
Rosa fruhlings (gold yellow)
Rosa rugosa rubra (Crimson)
Rosa blanc double de Coubert (White)
Rosa Frau Dagmar Hastrup
Albertine (blush pink, scented) Climbing roses
Helenae (creamy white, scented)
Leverkusen (lemon yellow, scented)
Francis E Lester Rambler
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Supp
ort
and
info
rmat
ion
Bein
g a
vict
im o
f crim
e ca
n be
dis
tres
sing
.
The
impa
ct o
f crim
e w
ill v
ary,
but
man
y pe
ople
ben
efit f
rom
rece
ivin
g so
me
supp
ort a
nd in
form
atio
n to
hel
p th
em
cope
and
reco
ver.
The
Vic
tims’
Cod
e is
a s
tatu
tory
G
over
nmen
t doc
umen
t whi
ch e
xpla
ins
wha
t sup
port
and
info
rmat
ion
vict
ims
of c
rime
– bo
th p
eopl
e an
d bu
sine
sses
–
can
expe
ct. S
ome
vict
ims
in s
peci
al
circ
umst
ance
s, fo
r exa
mpl
e ch
ildre
n or
vic
tims o
f the
mos
t ser
ious
crim
es,
are
entit
led
to e
xtra
sup
port
. Thi
s is
al
so e
xpla
ined
in th
e Co
de.
Repo
rtin
g th
e cr
ime
You
can
repo
rt a
crim
e to
the
polic
e by
vis
iting
a p
olic
e st
atio
n, b
y ph
one
or o
nlin
e.
The
polic
e w
ill g
ive
you
info
rmat
ion
abou
t wha
t to
expe
ct fr
om th
e cr
imin
al
just
ice
syst
em a
fter
repo
rtin
g th
e cr
ime.
If
you
agre
e, th
ey w
ill p
ass y
our d
etai
ls o
n to
vic
tim s
ervi
ces o
rgan
isat
ions
who
will
ge
t in
touc
h an
d he
lp y
ou.
Vic
tim s
ervi
ces o
rgan
isat
ions
, suc
h as
cha
ritie
s, ar
e no
t cov
ered
by
the
Vic
tims’
Cod
e w
hich
focu
ses o
n m
akin
g su
re c
rimin
al ju
stic
e ag
enci
es
– su
ch a
s the
pol
ice
and
the
cour
ts –
gi
ve v
ictim
s the
ser
vice
they
are
en
title
d to
.
How
ever
, vic
tim s
ervi
ces
can
offe
r va
luab
le h
elp
for p
eopl
e w
ho’v
e ex
perie
nced
crim
e, in
clud
ing
prac
tical
an
d em
otio
nal s
uppo
rt.
You
may
be
aske
d to
mak
e a
witn
ess
stat
emen
t to
expl
ain
wha
t hap
pene
d to
you
. If y
ou w
ant,
you
can
also
mak
e a
Vic
tim P
erso
nal S
tate
men
t (V
PS)
expl
aini
ng h
ow th
e cr
ime
has
affe
cted
you
.
Kee
ping
you
info
rmed
The
polic
e w
ill u
pdat
e yo
u on
pro
gres
s w
ith th
e in
vest
igat
ion,
lett
ing
you
know
of
any
arr
ests
or s
uspe
cts
bein
g ch
arge
d.
You
can
agre
e w
ith th
e po
lice
how
oft
en
you
wou
ld li
ke to
hea
r fro
m th
em a
bout
th
e in
vest
igat
ion.
Goi
ng t
o co
urt
If yo
ur c
ase
goes
to c
ourt
, you
may
wel
l be
a w
itnes
s in
the
tria
l. If
your
cas
e do
es
not g
o to
cou
rt, y
ou s
houl
d be
told
the
reas
on fo
r thi
s dec
isio
n.
If th
e ca
se g
oes t
o tr
ial,
you
will
be
assi
gned
a W
itnes
s Car
e O
ffice
r or
othe
r poi
nt o
f con
tact
. You
can
ask
th
em a
ny q
uest
ions
you
hav
e an
d th
ey w
ill k
eep
you
up to
da
te a
bout
wha
t’s h
appe
ning
. Th
is in
clud
es in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he d
ates
and
loca
tions
of
cou
rt h
earin
gs a
nd
upda
tes o
n w
heth
er th
e su
spec
t has
bee
n re
leas
ed o
n ba
il or
is b
eing
hel
d in
pris
on.
They
will
sup
port
you
unt
il th
e ca
se is
fini
shed
.
Bein
g a
wit
ness
If yo
u ar
e a
witn
ess
in th
e tr
ial y
ou c
an
ask
to u
se S
peci
al M
easu
res w
hich
can
he
lp y
ou to
giv
e yo
ur b
est e
vide
nce.
Sp
ecia
l Mea
sure
s m
ight
mea
n ha
ving
a
scre
en a
roun
d th
e w
itnes
s bo
x or
giv
ing
evid
ence
by
live
vide
o-lin
k, s
o th
at
you
don’
t hav
e to
face
the
susp
ect
or th
eir f
riend
s an
d fa
mily
.
You
can
also
ask
cou
rt s
taff
if y
ou c
an
wai
t in
an a
rea
away
from
the
susp
ect
and
thei
r frie
nds
and
fam
ily.
The
verd
ict
If th
e su
spec
t is f
ound
gui
lty,
you
can
ask
to re
ad o
ut y
our V
ictim
Pe
rson
al S
tate
men
t in
cour
t, or
for
som
ebod
y to
read
it fo
r you
if y
ou p
refe
r. Th
e ju
dge
will
take
this
into
acc
ount
w
hen
deci
ding
on
the
sent
ence
.
Your
Witn
ess C
are
Offi
cer o
r oth
er p
oint
of
con
tact
will
exp
lain
to y
ou w
hat t
he
sent
ence
mea
ns.
If th
e of
fend
er is
allo
wed
to a
ppea
l ag
ains
t the
sen
tenc
e or
con
vict
ion,
you
r co
ntac
t sho
uld
tell
you
whe
re a
nd w
hen
the
appe
al h
earin
g w
ill ta
ke p
lace
.
Rest
orat
ive
Just
ice
As a
vic
tim o
f crim
e yo
u m
ay b
e ab
le
to ta
ke p
art i
n Re
stor
ativ
e Ju
stic
e. T
his
is w
hen
thos
e ha
rmed
by
a cr
ime
have
co
ntac
t with
the
offe
nder
so
that
bot
h ca
n fin
d a
posi
tive
way
forw
ard.
Bot
h th
e vi
ctim
and
off
ende
r nee
d to
agr
ee fo
r the
co
ntac
t to
take
pla
ce.
The
Vic
tim
s’ C
ode
Vic
tim
s of
cri
me:
Und
erst
andi
ng t
he s
uppo
rt y
ou c
an e
xpec
t
The
Vic
tim C
onta
ct S
chem
e is
a
spec
ial s
ervi
ce fo
r vic
tims o
f sex
ual
and/
or v
iole
nt c
rimes
whe
re th
e of
fend
er is
sen
tenc
ed to
twel
ve
mon
ths o
r mor
e in
pris
on. I
f you
us
e th
is s
chem
e, y
ou w
ill b
e ke
pt u
p to
dat
e ab
out w
hat h
appe
ns to
the
offe
nder
aft
er th
ey a
re fo
und
guilt
y an
d un
til th
ey h
ave
com
plet
ed
thei
r sen
tenc
e.w
ww
.gov
.uk
59541VC
For more information see the West Midlands Police website and searchfor ‘victims code’https://www.west-midlands.police.uk or call 101Other sources of information can be found at the followinghttps ://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ or call 0808 16 89 111www.victimsinformationservice.org.uk or call 0808 168 9293 http://www.cps.gov.uk or call 0203 357 0899
www.west-midlands.police.uk
Website http://www.west-midlands.police.ukTwitter www.twitter.com/wmpoliceFacebook www.facebook.com/westmidlandspoliceYouTube www.youtube.com/westmidlandspoliceFlickr www.flickr.com/westmidlandspolice
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