Residential burglaries on the rise-key advice from police to prevent becoming a victim.

Please see important advice from Havering Police to help prevent residential burglaries.

Over the last 3 months we have seen a rise in residential burglaries reported across Havering. Our officers are committed to making Havering a safer place to live, visit and work by detecting and preventing crimes like Burglary.

We would like to take this opportunity to give our residents the following crime prevention advice.

• Correctly securing your front door – The vast majority of offences have been committed by suspects gaining entry via an insecure front door. uPvc doors, when locked correctly, give homes a high level of security. However, if they are not locked properly then they can be easily opened by burglars without a key. In order to lock your uPvc door correctly you must LIFT the handle, LOCK the door with the key and then REMOVE the key from the lock. The key should be placed in a safe place, away from the door and out of sight from any nearby windows. Simply lifting the handle does not lock your door.

• Motor vehicle security

Vehicles are the main target of burglaries in Havering at present. The suspects are breaking into homes in order to locate car keys so they can steal a vehicle parked on the drive or outside on the street. By increasing the security of your vehicle you will make this a less inviting target to burglars. Some simple steps to consider are:-

• Additional locks – Steering wheel locks act as a visual deterrent, plus they’ll take a while to remove from the steering wheel. Most times, opportunist thieves who rely on a quick getaway will simply walk by a car that has a lock on the steering wheel. You can also consider pedal and gearstick locks as well. These can be purchased from various shops for as little as £50-£100.
• Parking bollards – Telescopic or removable bollards are another way you can help prevent your vehicle being stolen. It adds another layer of protection for your vehicle and makes it less of a desirable target for opportunistic thieves
• Aftermarket immobilisers – Most vehicles come with factory fitted immobilisers. These are however no protection if the suspect has your car key. Investing in an aftermarket immobiliser is another way to prevent your vehicle being stolen. Some companies offer products were you need to press certain buttons on your steering wheel in a unique sequence to bypass it, even if you have the key
• Additional tracking devices – Car thieves are often well versed in where factory fitted tracking devices are on vehicles. These are removed shortly after the car is stolen in an effort to prevent it being located. By purchasing an additional tracker and placing it in an area unknown to the thieves you stand a better chance of locating your vehicle if it is stolen

• Home and Vehicle security survey – Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team can provide a free Home and Vehicle security survey. An officer can visit your home complete a survey of your current security and offer impartial suggestions on improvements you may wish to consider. To contact your local SNT please visit https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/ and put in your postcode

• Further crime prevention advice – Further advice can be found online by visiting https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/  

A/CI Charlie Routley of Havering Safer Neighbourhoods said: “Residential burglary is a very personal crime which can have a long lasting impact on the victim, leaving them feeling unsafe in their own homes. By following our advice around locking doors correctly and increasing vehicle security you can help prevent this happening to you. I would encourage our residents to share our advice with their friends and family and report any suspicious activity to Police via 101 or 999 in an emergency. The suspects committing these offences will be living within our communities. If you have information that can assist us in identifying those involved and stopping these offences from happening please report it to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111”

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