Top tips from Northants Police to stop 'low-lives' from getting into your home

After a spate of burglaries across the county, Northamptonshire Police have warned the public to no become an easy target to low-life burglars

The force has reminded residents to do everything they can to prevent burglars from targeting their homes and to not leave doors and windows unlocked.

Yesterday police appealed for witnesses in two Wellingborough burglaries, one in Whitworth Road and another in Somerford Road.

Superintendent Kev Mulligan said: “Burglars are low-lives but they don’t usually want to work too hard to get into someone’s property. They like easy targets – an open window or door for example. Our message today is to make your home as unattractive to them as possible.

“In an ideal world, having to consider crime prevention tools to stop your home from being broken into wouldn’t be necessary but the reality is that there are people out there who will look to burgle your house and steal items that you have worked hard to buy.

“By ensuring you put some simple crime-prevention mechanisms in place, can drastically reduce your chance of being burgled.

“We know the advice at the moment is to keep your homes aerated to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but let’s be sensible about it. Be vigilant when you open a window and make sure you remember to close it if you’re going out or if you’re moving to another room.

"Even leaving a light on when you go out in the evening can dramatically reduce your chances of being burgled.”

Northamptonshire Police's top tips to protect your home from burglary:

• Keep front and back doors locked at all times and keep keys and valuables out of sight and reach from cat flaps, letterboxes, and downstairs doors and windows

• If you’re out in the evening make sure you leave a light on and draw the curtains. If it’s dark before you get home, use timer switches to turn on energy-saving lights

• Light up your front door with dusk to dawn lighting – make sure it’s visible from the street

• Don’t forget about garages, sheds and outbuildings – make sure they’re locked and secure too

• Invest in an alarm system if possible

• Try not to leave your house in silent darkness. Just leaving a radio on could make a potential burglar think twice

• Never leave a spare key outside your house, burglars know all the usual hiding spots

• Keep bins away from windows when they’re not being used as they can be used as a climbing aid for burglars

• Consider joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Find out more about Neighbourhood Watch in Northamptonshire at northantsnhw.co.uk.

Anyone with information about burglaries or suspicious activity in their area should call 101.