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Hints and Tips

• Who has responsibility for that?
• Protecting your sheds, garages and outbuildings
• Don't Be Dim - leave a light on
• Keep the burglars out of your Car and Home
• Personal safety
• Planning a bonfire?
• Safety first with fireworks
• Christmas presents under the tree

Who has responsibility for that?

Many of the calls that come into Essex Police, often on the 999 number, are not emergency calls. An emergency is a situation where there is serious risk of injury, risk of serious damage to property, or when a crime or suspicious incident is in progress.

These calls clog up an already over-stretched telephone system with more than 20,000 emergency 999 calls being taken in an average month. We want to help you get to the person who can deal with your problem - first time. The Essex Police non-emergency number 0300 333 4444 receives 40,000 calls per month. The leaflet linked below will help you find out whose responsibility it is and how you can contact them.

Essex Police Guide: Who has responsibility for that? (PDF 1.7MB)
[ For PDFs see how to access PDF files ]

Protecting your sheds, garages and outbuildings

Garden sheds are a popular target for burglars as valuable items are often stored in them. Power tools, lawnmowers, cycles, golf clubs, etc., are all attractive to thieves and very expensive to replace.

• Has your shed survived the winter without any damage? If not, don't delay - fix it today!
• Shed doors are notoriously easy to break into, so strengthen the door and frame if you can.
• Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong pad-bars and close shackle padlocks.
• Up-and-over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door.
• Five-lever mortise locks are the best thing to use on normal solid doors.
• Are the windows secure? Does the glass need replacing? You could use perspex or polycarbonate sheet as a more secure alternative, as long as it is securely fixed. Use a window lock on any windows which can be opened, along with a strong grille or heavy wire mesh panel. Consider using net curtains so people can't see inside.
• Battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent. If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737.

Don't Be Dim - leave a light on

House burglaries increase over the autumn and winter. Houses, which are in darkness between 4pm and 9pm, are an open invitation for burglars. The police in Thurrock will be running a number of initiatives to combat these crimes, but there are steps YOU can take to help prevent your home being burgled.

1. Fit a timer to a switch to turn the lights on when you are not at home.
2. Fit outside dusk till dawn security lights.
3. Have an alarm fitted.
4. Report any suspicious incidents to the police immediately.
5. Mark valuable items with your postcode.

Keep burglars out of your car and home

During autumn and winter, burglars will take their chances with homes that are in darkness, especially in the lead up to Christmas. Here are some tips to keep your home safe and your presents for the people you bought them for, however these safety tips should be applied all year round:

1. Never leave anything on display when you leave your vehicle - even an old coat, loose change or CDs can tempt a thief.
2. Park Safely - Park in a well lit area and always lock your car.
3. When not at home, look for a public car park that is part of the Police approved safer parking scheme and displays the ParkMark brand.
4. If you own an older car always use a steering wheel lock or a different type of anti theft device
5. Fit an alarm. Alarms deter thieves from stealing your car and from stealing items from inside the car.
6. Secure your wheels - Locking wheel nuts are cheap, easy to fit and stop thieves from stealing your wheels.
7. Always remove your satelitte navigation (sat nav) system and any in car entertainment systems. Mark property with your registration number.
8. Register your equipment through the Home Office online register at www.immobilise.com.
9. When buying a second hand car always check whether it is registered as stolen, has been seriously damaged in an accident and whether it is still subject to finance. Get more information at www.direct.gov.uk
10. Burglars also know that many of us will have expensive goods in our cars and may store presents there whilst shopping.
11. Always lock your doors and windows when you leave home and go to bed.
12. Fit an accredited, monitored alarm to your home. Ask your home insurance company if they have a preference.
13. Lock garden tools, especially ladders, in a shed or garage.
14. Always leave a light on in the house when you go out to give the impression that someone is in.
15. Do not leave valuables on display through the letter box or windows
16. If possible fit 5-lever mortice locks to front and back doors and fit quality locks to your windows with opening restrictors.
17. Always lock your garden gate and secure your bin.
18. Keep your house and car keys away from windows and the front door, put keys in a draw or take them to bed.
19. Mark valuable property with an ultra violet marker pen with postcode and house number. Ask about SmartWater.
20. Always ensure there is good visibility to the front and rear of your house so that burglars are not hidden while they break in. Keep hedges to maximum of 1 metre and branches from trees no lower than 2 metres.

Personal safety

When you are out and about there is plenty you can do to keep yourself safe:

Before you go out

1. Make sure someone knows where you are going
2. If you are going somewhere new, plan your journey
3. Take only the money and valuables you need
4. Take a personal attack alarm if you have one

When you are out

1. Keep away from dark, quiet places
2. Keep your bag with you all the time
3. Keep your money, mobile phone and keys in your bag or pocket.

Travelling on Public Transport

1. Find out the times of the bus or train so you do not have to wait too long
2. If you travel at night, wait in a well lit area
3. On the bus, sit near the driver
4. On the train, sit in a carriage with other people.

Travelling in a Taxi

1. Use a taxi firm that has been recommended to you; keep their number in your mobile
2. Do not use a taxi that just stops for you in the street.
3. Book the taxi in advance and ask for the driver's name.
4. When the taxi arrives ask for the driver's name and the name of the taxi company.

Planning a bonfire?

• Check for animals before lighting and keep pets inside.
• Never light bonfires if it is windy and keep them well clear of buildings, hedges and fences.
• Never leave a bonfire unattended.
• Always have a bucket of water or hosepipe handy.
• Never use flammable liquids to start the fire.
• Never burn aerosol cans, batteries or fireworks.

Safety first with fireworks

Fireworks are used throughout the year to celebrate a variety of festivals and events. Remember the following for your own safety:

• DON'T buy fireworks from boot sales, market stalls or street traders
• DON'T buy them too soon, you have a responsibility to store them safely.
• Traders commit an offence if they sell fireworks to under 18s.
• Under 18s commit an offence if they possess fireworks in a public place.
• Fireworks CANNOT be used between 11pm and 7am, except on Chinese New Year, Diwali, Bonfire Night and New Years Eve

If you are offered cheap fireworks, are concerned about traders, need advice about when you can use them or storage contact Trading Standards on 01375 390 000.

Christmas presents under the tree

It is a sad fact that burglaries increase during the weeks running up to Christmas. In order for you to prevent your home being burgled:

DON'T:

1. Leave present visible under the Christmas tree.
2. Close curtains or blinds when you are in your house at night with your lights on.
3. Don't leave items in hallways, which can be seen, from your letter box or front door.
4. Put your presents away somewhere people would not expect them to be, NOT in your wardrobes.

Fit an alarm and additional locks if necessary.