B District Community Safety
Each District has a dedicated Community Safety team. These officers develop and promote local initiatives to help make Northern Ireland safer by enhancing the relationship between police and all sections of the community.
Close it, lock it, check it
Police in B District South and East Belfast are concerned by the number of burglaries occurring within the District that have involved the householder failing to secure either their windows or doors.
Police are asking people to check their property before leaving home - remember to secure your home before you leave it and never leave a key in a lock.
The message is: Close it, lock it, check it. Don't be a victim. You can improve your home security by following this simple advice.
Wherever you live, whatever type of house you have, a burglary can be one of the most shattering experiences of a lifetime. When your home is broken into and burglars help themselves to your possessions - it is not just the expense that hurts.
Doors
If your doors are not secure, neither is your house. Make sure your doors are strong enough, fit mortise deadlocks, door chains and viewers and use them.
Never leave keys in the lock, on tabletops or hooks in view of external windows. Never hide spare keys under doormats, flower pots etc - thieves are not stupid - hidden keys make life easy for the burglar.
Windows
Whether your window frames are wood, metal or UPVC, there are various locks available and suitable for fitting to all window type openings. If your window does not already have a keyed lock fitted then consider having suitable locks fitted, particularly on ground floor windows or upstairs windows that may be easily accessed from a flat roof.
Note: Before fitting a lock to any door or window ensure that it does not invalidate any warranty.
Garages and sheds
Take a look at what most garages or sheds contain and calculate the value of the items to yourself or the thief. Always lock your garage or shed - remember tools or ladders stored there may be used to assist the criminal to break into your home.
Gates and fences
Do not allow the criminal easy access to the rear of your home. Fit a strong high gate or fence and ensure it is fitted with a good lock. An alternative is to establish a good thorny hedge that cannot be pushed through.
Security lighting
Exterior lights are useful in discouraging the attention of criminals, as it raises the potential of them being seen in the vicinity of your home by either yourself or a neighbour. Most forms of security lighting are best controlled by photo-electric cells that switch on as dark approached and off again as dawn breaks, or PIR motion detection sensor switches, or by timer switches.
Crime prevention advice is free and officers can be contacted on 0845 6008000.
You can give information on crime in your area to police by calling 0845 600 8000, alternatively information about crime can passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.
