Good evening, 

As the nights get darker earlier, the fear of crime can increase. Here are a few things you can do to feel safer:

 • Leave a light on in more than one room, such as the lounge and bedroom. Remember to choose low-energy lamps. 

• Use a timer switch to operate the lights as it starts to get dark. 

• Change the times that the lights comes on to create the illusion that someone is moving around inside the home. 

• Consider the use of ‘smart’ technology to have different lights coming on in your house at different times. 

• Make sure your front door is well lit and fully visible from the street. Also think about security lighting at the rear and side of your property.

 • Keep shrubbery and hedges at the front pruned to below 1 metre to remove cover for a burglar to work unseen and allow visibility by neighbours. 

• Consider having a good quality CCTV system installed. 

• Keep your curtains closed at night - if you are away, ask a neighbour to close them for you. 

• Check existing lighting is in good working order and replace any faulty equipment. 

• Remember to check batteries in torches and smoke alarms. 

• Lock all windows and doors even when you are at home. 

• Put the alarm on even when you go out and at night 

• Don’t leave valuables items or car keys on view near your front door.