Burglary advice

Hello all

Further to my recent posts about the burglaries in the Dymchurch area please take note of the following advice.

If you have anything of high value within your homes that can easily be stolen for example jewellery/gold items, large amounts of cash and the like, please try and secure them as much as you can.

I think we can become complacent at times and it's only when a burglary happens that we regret what we should have done to keep our valuables safer, a safe is a good idea as long as it is securely fixed to a solid wall.

Preventing a burglary happening in the first place is one thing but if the burglars manage to get into your home then let's make it as difficult as possible for them to take what's not theirs.

Remember, ‘target harden’ your home by ensuring the CCTV and security lights are in the most vulnerable places and are working, use locks on doors and windows and utilise the alarm if you have one, take a few moments to check around the outside of your home and look at what a would-be burglar might use to break in or use to climb walls and fences, for example, a wheelie bin is a great help for them to get over walls and fences, what tools have you got laying around in the garden that could be used to break in, have you got heavy objects that don't need to be in the garden like hardcore or unused paving slabs for example as these are perfect projectiles to launch at door glass and windows.

Also, if you have a holiday planned and which means your home will be empty when you're away, tell only those who you NEED to tell like relatives or a neighbour who might have a spare key and can keep an eye out. It's very tempting to tell lots of people that you're going on holiday because who doesn't like a holiday but the information could get into the wrong hands just by someone else innocently saying “That Steve Putland is jetting off to Hawaii next week for 3 weeks, lucky so and so!” (I wish!) but in all seriousness it could be something as simple as this that could be overheard by a criminal.

The Romney Marsh is a very safe area to live in but unfortunately we are not immune to these crime types so we have to take the above measures and be vigilant.

As always if you have any information in relation to the above burglaries or any other suspicious activity then please email me.

Thank you

Steve.