When crime starts to rise in a neighbourhood, it is not only your safety at risk but that of your neighbours. In fact, leaving your home vulnerable can make both yours and your neighbours’ properties susceptible to burglaries.
Therefore, when you are looking to make your neighbourhood a safer place, here are 5 ways that you can help your neighbours and friends avoid burglaries.
- Install a security system
Getting a security system, complete with features such as closed-circuit television (CCTV), can help catch burglars in the act. Camera systems with multi-functional PTZ cameras will be vital in proving identity. When arranging your CCTV installation Durham, always choose engineers who are fully trained and accredited.
Installing a security system can also work as a visible deterrent to a potential criminal. If they are worried about being caught on camera, and therefore more likely to get caught, then they will be less likely to burglarise the surrounding properties.
- Start a Neighbourhood Watch
According to the College of Policing, a Neighbourhood Watch prevents an estimated 26 crimes for every 100. Though this might not sound like much, this can go a long way to reducing pressure on the police, and helping your neighbourhood feel safe.
A Neighbourhood Watch is a community initiative run by its members, which gets neighbours together to take action and reduce crime. And, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an official group, you could have a Whatsapp group for your street where you share information, or an app which connects neighbours’ smart doorbells.
- Improve lighting on your street
If your street does not have adequate street lighting, get on to your local council about your safety concerns. Even if it does have street lighting, you can supplement this with motion-detector lighting near entryways and in dark corners of your property.
- Keep your hedges trimmed
Hedges, bushes, and long grass around your property can be perfect hiding places for criminals or their stash. Therefore, it is important to trim or clear any unruly vegetation around your property, keeping everything nice and tidy.
- Make your home appear as if it is never empty
Often, criminals will target a home which they believe to be empty. Thus, it can be beneficial to make your home appear as if you have never left, even whilst you are at work or on holiday.
You can do this by leaving a car parked on the drive, keeping a radio or television on to provide internal noise, or by leaving lights on a timed switch so that they appear as if they have been turned on and off.
When you are leaving your property empty, especially for longer periods of time, always make sure to be vigilant. Never hide your valuables in plain sight, use a locked storage place for any cash or jewellery, and always lock every door and window.
Overall, with added lighting, surveillance, deterrents, and simple little tricks, you will be able to reduce the risk of burglary for yourself, your neighbours, and maybe even your whole neighbourhood.
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