Homes to get free security upgrade

NEARLY 300 householders in Hinckley are to be offered free secu- rity upgrades.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews will use £432,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to fit high-quality security devices to stop burglars.

Work has previously been carried out in Lutterworth. The money will also be used in Castle Donington, and Melton – other areas identified as having a disproportionately higher risk of street crime.

In Hinckley, up to 291 homes will benefit from free improvements.

Safer Streets partner 24-7 Locks Ltd will be visiting residents in eligible areas of the town to offer measures such as door and window locks, door alarms and window alert alarms. Eligible households will be informed by post.

Mr Matthews said: “Anything we can do to make it harder for criminals to strike has to be positive and I am delighted to have secured this funding.

“This project is about equipping people with the tools and support they need to prevent their homes being targeted by criminals.

“Burglary is a deeply personal and distressing crime and through this unique partnership we will ensure as many people as possible are spared this fate.

“If you are contacted by our security partner 24-7 Locks Ltd, please take advantage of the free upgrades.

“You simply cannot put a price on peace of mind and thanks to this funding you will not have to.”

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council housing and community safety spokesman Councillor Michael Mullaney said: “This is very welcome news.

“I hope this investment in making homes in the town centre more secure will help people their feel more safe in their homes and will help prevent opportunistic burglaries and break ins.

“More than £60,000 of this funding will be spent on upgrading our already successful CCTV network, with an additional eight cameras.

“I would urge eligible householders to take advantage of the funding available to upgrade their own home security.”

Funding will also be dedicated to removing graffiti and to expand the radio link scheme in Hinckley.