Neighbourhood Watch would like to offer crime prevention advice ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend to help residents of Leicestershire have a crime-free bank holiday.

With some residents planning on going away for the extended weekend, unfortunately it can be an ideal time for opportunist thieves to target empty homes and homes that are left insecure. 

To prevent yourself becoming a victim of crime this bank holiday please consider the following advice:    

• Make sure that your home is secure. Ensure that you secure all windows and doors even if you are at home;
• When leaving your house unoccupied where possible set your intruder alarm if you have one;
• If you are going out in the evening try and use timer switches with lights to make your home look occupied. You could also leave a radio on or consider investing in a ‘fake tv’ device.

 If you are going away for the long weekend:  

• Try and let a trusted friend or neighbour know that you are going to be away from home. Perhaps you could encourage them to park on your drive to make it look like you are at home;
• Ensure your intruder alarm is activated, if you have one;
• Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries if you have them;
• Make sure that all access points are secured such as gates and activate any external security lighting that you may have;
• Ensure that sheds and out buildings are locked and secured;
• Register your valuables online on the national property database at www.immobilise.com, you can register almost any kind of item on the database free of charge. Immobilise helps Police to reunite stolen items with their rightful owners.
• For further advice see use this link: Safer Homes  

 Enjoy the weekend safely 

• If you are out and about, make sure you look after purses, wallets and mobile phones, do not leave them unattended anywhere. 
• Don’t leave valuable items in vehicles, and ensure your car is parked safely and securely. 

For any noise nuisance over the bank holiday, please contact your local District Council Environmental Health Department. 

For Non Emergencies or if you have information about any crime, you can contact Leicestershire  Police on the Non Emergency Number 101. 

In an emergency, for example where life is in danger or a crime is in progress, please call 999. 

Finally, we hope that you enjoy your bank holiday!