Sign In / Register
November 8 to 14 is crime prevention week and to mark the event, Police area prevention manager Steve Pivac shares some ideas on how to keep property safe …
Crime prevention can be captured within three basic principles that apply to all urban, rural and commercial environments.
The first principle is that you can take a few simple steps to make it difficult for your property to be taken. Simple actions such as having a daily dusk routine that includes going to your car to ensure the car is locked and the windows are up. While there, you should make sure there are no valuables left inside. Sadly, police often hear of handbags, laptop computers, cell phones, wallets, purses, shoes clothing and other valuables left inside vehicles and offered to thieves. For the tradies, making sure the vehicle has a security system will help prevent the tools being taken and the subsequent loss of income while you wait for the insurance claim and tool replacements.
It doesn’t really matter what time to go through this routine so long as it is a routine and it occurs before you ‘turn in’ for the night. Night-time is relevant, too, because burglars love operating in the dark so if you have sensor lights, these are an effective deterrent. Your final act of the routine should be to check all your windows and doors are locked or secured.
If you live rurally and you have a gate, then spend an extra minute to close and/or lock it. Criminals will drive by a closed gate looking for the ‘easy job’.
The second principle is to keep a record of your valuables.
Recording serial numbers in advance offers peace of mind if a burglary occurs. It can assist the police and your contents insurance claim and makes it easier for police to track your stolen property.
The third principle relates to recording and reporting suspicious activity. Most cell phones have great cameras so if you see someone or something that looks suspicious, get out your phone and get a photo of them if you can, or get a photo of the registration of any vehicles they are with or in. This will help police hugely to track them down and hold them to account.
You can report crimes anonymously either by phoning Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111 or online via https://www.police.govt.nz/105support where you can add any photos you took as well.
