Have yourself a merry little Slough crime-free Christmas
A little thought, a little planning and a lot of care and attention is the message from Slough Borough Council’s community safety team and Thames Valley Police about keeping safe this Christmas.
It’s the time of year when many people are rushing around getting ready for Christmas and buying lots of wonderful things for the family, but you can bet that the criminals are also looking forward to what you have over the festive season.
So the Slough community safety team have devised a few rules which should help you enjoy the holiday even more.
* When out shopping, never leave shopping bags unattended, either in the boot or on the back seat of your car.
* Keep valuables safe – never leave a handbag on the back of a trolley or pushchair.
* Valuables are best carried in a zipped inside pocket.
* When at home, lock up whenever you go out, even for a few minutes. It doesn’t take long for criminals to break into your home and steal.
* Never display gifts where they can be seen from the outside, for example, underneath your Christmas tree near a window.
* Use your alarm if you have one. Leave a light on to make it look as if someone’s home.
* When out and about, arrange transport home before you leave for a night out.
* Never leave purses or bags unattended or carry a wallet in your back pocket.
Nora Smith, Slough community safety projects officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “This time of year can be a lot of fun for many people, but it only takes a second for that to be dashed by criminals just waiting for someone to be distracted for the festive season to be ruined.
“If people follow these simple rules, everything should be okay. Don’t let criminals spoil your Christmas.”
Commissioner for Slough public protection, Cllr John Edwards, added: "It is so important that residents are aware of what they are doing in the rush up to Christmas. Criminals are always on the lookout for an easy mark and Christmas provides them with many opportunities, so please be careful.
Prevention of crime is a priority for the Council and the Police, and we want to make sure that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas."
For more information, please look on the External link iconThames Valley Police (opens a new window) website for tips on home security and marking and registering your property.
Slough Borough Council