How to protect your home after emerging from lockdown: Advice from Hartlepool crime prevention experts

Hartlepool Community Safety Team have issued home security advice to householders as people return to work or go away on holiday.

Victim Services Officer Jane Munden said: “Many people have been at home for a considerable length of time but with the easing of lockdown restrictions this is now changing.

“It is important that we all take steps to make our homes as secure as possible.”

Jane says people should never advertise on social media that they are going away, ask a friend, family member or a trusted neighbour to take out and bring in their bins, open and close curtains and collect mail.

Other advise is to use light timers to make it look like someone is home, remember to make sure all doors, windows and gates are shut and locked, and remember to keep keys in a safe place.

Householders should also remove all valuables from view, use an alarm if they have one, and make sure any CCTV covers all areas of their property.

The multi-agency Community Safety Team advocates the use of security, never leave any tools outside or garden furniture that could be taken or used to break into the home, and to security mark valuables with your name and postcode.

Jane offers free and confidential victim support and crime prevention advice. Call her on (01429) 523100 or email [email protected]

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