Follow my advice to stay safe and sound

Now that summer is well and truly over for another year we start thinking about the clocks going back and the dark nights drawing in during the lead up to the Christmas period.

This is a time of year when it is sensible to think about your safety and the security of your belongings.

Traditionally there is a rise in burglaries in the winter period, especially during the run up to Christmas.

You can reduce the risk of burglary to your home by following four simple steps:

Leave a light on inside your home when you are absent, preferably using low energy bulb. Use a timer switch to activate lights as it gets dark, alternating the times they are illuminated to give the impression of someone being at home.

Make sure your front door is well lit using dusk to dawn lighting that automatically comes on as it gets dark.

Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

In addition, we would advise you to take these additional security tips:

Register valuable items with a serial number at www. immobilise.com and add a photograph.

Do not leave your car keys, handbags, wallets or mobile phones near doors, letterboxes or windows.

Never leave keys in the door if you have a cat flap or letter box.

Keep your valuables out of sight. Burglars will be looking through windows for items of value.

Install a visible burglar alarm with a box front and rear.

Keep gates and sheds locked.

Store your wheelie bins behind secure side gates to prevent them being used as climbing aids.

Increase the height of your back or side fencing by adding diamond style trellis topping which is difficult to climb.

Plant some spiky plants in vulnerable areas.

Think about getting a driveway alarm – this is a cheap and effective deterrent which and can be switched on at night when you go to bed to protect against anyone entering your drive or garden.

If you are lucky enough to be going away on holiday, do not post your holiday plans or movements on social networking sites.

If you want to feel safer in your street and do not already subscribe to Neighbourhood Watch then please get in touch with them by emailing info@peterboroughnhw.co.uk or phone 101 and ask your neighbourhood police team for more information.

And finally from me this month, for those of you who like to get organised you may already be thinking about buying Christmas presents. Please remember to put the items you purchase out of sight in your car boot if you are taking things back to your vehicle before heading off to shop some more. Keep your vehicles secure and take your valuables with you so your belongings do not become an easy target for opportunist thieves.

Anyone requiring crime prevention advice should visit our website at www. cambs-police.co.uk or call 101 and ask for a crime reduction officer.