Campaign to deter summer burglaries

Travel agents and community groups have been recruited to help a policing campaign to help residents deter burglars during the summer holidays.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jun 2015, 12:00 BST
PSNI Chief Inspector Paul Reid, Alison Clenaghan, Policing and Community Safety Partnership Manager (Craigavon), Amanda Mulholland Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Banbridge) and Patricia Gibson Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Armagh) launch the PCSP seasonal campaign  Peace of Mind While Youre Away, a crime prevention campaign in partnership with local travel agents and community groups to raise awareness of home security measures people should take before going on holiday.PSNI Chief Inspector Paul Reid, Alison Clenaghan, Policing and Community Safety Partnership Manager (Craigavon), Amanda Mulholland Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Banbridge) and Patricia Gibson Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Armagh) launch the PCSP seasonal campaign  Peace of Mind While Youre Away, a crime prevention campaign in partnership with local travel agents and community groups to raise awareness of home security measures people should take before going on holiday.
PSNI Chief Inspector Paul Reid, Alison Clenaghan, Policing and Community Safety Partnership Manager (Craigavon), Amanda Mulholland Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Banbridge) and Patricia Gibson Policing and Community Safety Partnership (Armagh) launch the PCSP seasonal campaign  Peace of Mind While Youre Away, a crime prevention campaign in partnership with local travel agents and community groups to raise awareness of home security measures people should take before going on holiday.

‘Peace of Mind While You’re Away’ is a crime prevention campaign which is being implemented throughout the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area urging residents to action to deter burglars while on holidays this summer.

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), and the PSNI are working in partnership with local travel agents and community groups to raise awareness of home security measures which residents should take before going on holiday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Peace of Mind’ leaflets have been issued to travel agents to distribute to people enquiring about or booking holidays. These provide advice and guidance on how to make their home more secure while away.

Top tips highlighted in the leaflet to help prevent burglaries, include: Have an approved alarm system installed; Don’t leave valuables, like laptops and TVs, where people can see them through windows; Don’t leave curtains closed during the day as this shows the house is empty; Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspapers or milk; Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home or on social media sites; Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with other family members or a bank or lock them in a safe; Don’t forget to lock all external doors and windows!

“Burglars are often opportunists and will target houses which offer the opportunity to carry out crime with the least number of obstacles in the way. By simply cancelling any regular deliveries such as newspapers or milk and using automatic timer switches to turn on lights or radios we can all help to deter burglars. Friends, family and neighbours can also play a vital surveillance role in ensuring burglars stay away from your property.”

Superintendent David Moore added, “No one wants to return from holiday and find that thieves have targeted their home so taking a few simple precautions before you leave will help you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. The advice contained in the leaflets provides easy steps for you to follow to ensure your home is as secure as possible. Police will also be conducting their usual anti-burglary patrols and we would encourage all residents to report anything which looks suspicious or out of place to us straight away.”

Contact Annette Blaney on 028 3831 529 or at [email protected]