POLICE WARN PUBLIC TO LOCK IT OR LOSE IT AS THE WARMER WEATHER DRAWS IN

Cumbria Constabulary are turning their attentions to residential areas this week as part of their annual acquisitive crime campaign, warning the public to be vigilant and take simple measures to protect and secure their property.

As clocks change bringing in longer daylight hours, Police are warning the public to lock their doors and windows or risk losing their possessions.

In 2013, there were 7,977 reported incidents of an acquisitive crime type in residential areas in Cumbria. This is an increase of just over 4% from 2012 where there were 7,643 reported incidents.

Inspector Jon Sherlock, of the Constabulary’s Community Safety Unit, explains:

“We hope that this campaign will encourage people to take some simple steps to ensure that their property and belongings remain in their possession and that they don’t become victims of crime.

“As the stats show, acquisitive crime has increased in residential areas. Due to improvements in security, our homes and buildings have never been more secure. Too much acquisitive crime however is opportunist, offenders entering through unlocked doors and open windows. The simple steps of locking doors, windows, outbuildings and not leaving expensive equipment on show can be the most effective deterrents. I can’t emphasise enough the need to take these simple steps and a routine when leaving the house or before going to bed.

“We appreciate the need to open windows in warmer weather; however modern deigns allows some security with the windows on a latch, don’t invite thieves into your home. On leaving your property ensure the doors and windows are locked and if away for an extended period, notify a neighbour.

“The image of a thief with a crow-bar breaking into your home, is in 2014 more commonly replaced by someone walking along a row of terraced houses trying every door handle, entering and stealing from the unfortunate home owner who didn’t lock their door, don’t let that be you.

 “We want to lower the number of victims in residential communities, but we need everyone’s help to do this. By following some simple crime prevention advice people can significantly reduce the risk of burglary.

“If anyone has any concerns around acquisitive crime or has suspicions around stolen property, I would encourage them to call Cumbria Police on 101.”

This is the second week of the acquisitive campaign which focussed on rural areas in the first week.

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said:

“We all need to take these simple steps to guard against the risk of burglary, and be mindful that opportunistic thieves may be operating in our areas.  It can take an opportunistic thief less than two minutes to commit burglary. To help reduce the risk, people should read the important crime prevention information provided by the police.”

For more information about protecting your property and belongings, please visit http://www.cumbria.police.uk/securehome.

If you see anything suspicious in your area, please contact Cumbria Police on 101.

Barrow Police warn public to lock it or lose it this Christmas

Police in Barrow are warning everyone to lock it or lose it this Christmas in a bid to ensure that Santa Claus is the only unannounced visitor this festive season.

Crime does not stop for Christmas and Police are hoping that everyone follows some simple precautionary measures to help avoid a Christmas of despair.

Police are asking members of the public to lock windows and doors to their homes and vehicles as well as make sure all sheds and garages are secure. Criminals are often opportunistic and Police do not want members of the public to inadvertently encourage this behaviour by carelessness.

Inspector Mike O’Hagan, Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Criminals do not need an invitation and that is why we would ask that everyone makes sure that doors and windows of your home and vehicles are locked as well as making sure outhouses and sheds are secure.

“If you are purchasing or receive electrical or high-value gifts, contact Police for advice on how and where they can security mark them. I’d also ask those that have a home that is fitted with an alarm to ensure it works and to use it.

“For those who are away over the festive period ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home. For those who are at home please look after your neighbours this Christmas and if you see any suspicious activity please call Cumbria Police on 101.”

Another message Police want people to be wary of is that anyone who uses social media needs  to be mindful of what they post. People often update Facebook and Twitter with their activities, keeping their friends and family informed of what they have been up to. However, not all keep up-to-date with their security settings on their social media pages and can unknowingly have open pages for everyone to see.

Inspector O’Hagan added: “Telling people what you are doing is not a bad thing but we are encouraging people to make sure they know who they are telling.

“Simple steps by checking security settings on social media site such as Facebook or Twitter to ensure that only friends and family can see your posts, but not share them to a wider audience, can be one way to prevent your posts being seen by everyone.

“If you want an open page, then be careful about what you post, don’t advertise the fact that you have been Christmas shopping and bought all your presents and then will be out with the family that night. You are basically just telling everyone that your house is empty and full of presents.”

Further information about staying safe online is available on our website at www.cumbria.police.uk/onlinesafety.

Victim urges neighbours to lock up after thieves steal sentimental scan of her baby

A Barrow woman who recently became a victim of burglary has joined police in issuing a warning to her neighbours to keep their homes secure.

19 year old Amber Marshall of Anson Street, Barrow woke up to find that burglars had stolen handbags, purses and a camera belonging to her and her mum while her and her newborn daughter were asleep overnight between 7 June and 8 June. The most distressing aspect of the crime for Amber was that the offender(s) made off with a camera that contained photographs of her daughter and a handbag that contained a sentimental ultrasound picture.

The offender(s) got into her home through the front door which had been left unlocked so Amber is now joining forces with police to encourage her neighbours to keep their homes secure and avoid the hassle and heartache of being a victim of crime.

Amber said: “We were all asleep upstairs and must have completely forgotten to lock the front door because they came in during the night.

“When I realised what had happened the next day I felt physically sick. The first thing that they would have seen when they came through the door was my baby’s pram, and they would have realised I had a newborn daughter from all of her things downstairs. Despite seeing all this, they still stole our purses, handbags and a camera that had photographs on of my daughter.

“I feel violated and want to move. I never thought that it would happen to my family.

“If I could pass on some advice it would be to lock your doors and windows, because you never know if you’ll be next. I’d also tell people to take their purses, bags and cameras upstairs with them when they go to bed so they’re not lying around.

“We didn’t expect this to ever happen to us and now that it has, it has shaken us all.”

In total, police are investigating 38 burglaries in South Cumbria that have occurred this financial year (since 1 April 2011). Twenty seven of the 38 burglaries occurred in the Dalton, Barrow and Ulverston areas and 14 of the 27 occurred in properties that were left insecure. This has prompted local officers to highlight the problem and issue crime prevention advice to local residents in a bid to stop others becoming victims of burglary.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Forrester said: “The good news is that there have been eleven less victims of burglary in South Cumbria so far this year. However, the figures show that more than half of the victims in the Barrow, Ulverston and Dalton areas may have saved themselves the heartache by simply locking their doors and windows.

“It is clear that our message isn’t getting through to some who find it hard to break the habit of keeping their doors and windows unlocked -so I hope that Amber’s story hits home.

“Many people simply do not realise the amount of distress and hassle that comes with being a victim of burglary. It is an awful crime that can leave victims unsettled and uncomfortable in their homes – which is why we investigate burglary as a priority in Cumbria.

“We will do everything we can to catch offenders and protect residents from burglars but it is a crime that we can only tackle together, as a community. We need local people to make criminals’ lives as difficult as possible by taking home security seriously.

“There are a lot of opportunist thieves out there who won’t be able to resist an open door or window. If you lock up, you can deter a thief and keep hold of your possessions. Look out for your neighbours and if you spot somebody acting suspiciously in your local area, report it to us immediately so that we can try and prevent a crime before it happens.”

Police offer the following advice for keeping your homes secure:

• Ensure that you lock your doors and windows when you go out

• Keep your side gates and sheds locked

• Keep cash and valuables safe and well hidden

• Postcode your valuables with a Ultra Violet pen and consider registering them at www.immobilise.com*

• Leave a light on and draw your curtains when you go out at night

• Make sure callers to your home are genuine, always ask for identification

For more information on home security, please contact a member of your local policing team on 0845 33 00 247.

If you have information or witnessed any suspicious activity around Anson Street between 7-8 June, please contact Barrow CID on 0845 33 00 247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Lock it or Lose it!

Lock it or Lose it! video on You Tube now, follow the link below ....

http://www.youtube.com/user/cumbriapolice

Lock it or Lose it!

A number of bikes have been stolen in the area over the last three days so please be careful with yours.

Detective Inspector Dave Banks of South Cumbria CID said; "I'd like to urge members of the public to ensure that they lock their bikes securely with a good quality lock before leaving them unattended. Many people tend to leave bikes in garden sheds which I would only advise if the shed's security has been significantly improved. Don't make thieves' lives easy - the best thing to do is ensure that all unattended bikes are locked away securely or chained to a fixed post. It'll save a lot of heartache later."

Anyone with information regarding bike thefts is asked to contact their local Police Station on 0845 33 00 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.