Crime reduction 

Home security

Please act now to improve your home security.

You can take some simple and cost-effective steps to tighten your home security and dramatically reduce your chances of becoming a victim of burglary. The same applies if your home has been broken into before – please address any weaknesses in your home security.

Thames Valley Police’s ‘Safer Homes’ campaign aims to raise awareness among householders about what you can do to prevent and reduce burglary.

At least 80 per cent of burglaries are committed by amateur opportunists who take advantage of open or vulnerable doors and windows, keys left in insecure ‘hiding places’, and unlocked side gates, for example.

In around 25 per cent of break-ins, particularly those that take place in the spring and summer, entry is gained through insecure doors and windows, especially at the rear of the property.

In this section, you can find out about:

• Making the outside of your home secure.
• Making your home secure inside.
• Lock, stop, chain, check – prevent distraction burglary.
• Making your home safe before going on holiday.
• Using property marking to protect your possessions.