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Dunnington Parish Council

Beware: thieves are operating in this area

Dunnington Parish Council are urging residents to take extra steps to secure their homes, sheds, garages and outbuildings, after a series of thefts in neighbouring villages. Residents are advised to ensure their belongings and valuables are kept secure at all times.

North Yorkshire Police have shared a number of quick, cheap and easy steps you can take to improve your home security:

  1. Keep them out of view: Make sure all valuables and keys, including car keys, are out of sight and away from the view of windows and the letterbox – remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox.
  2. Keep them locked: Leaving ground floor windows, doors and patio doors open can give burglars the perfect opportunity. If you are upstairs, out of the room, or in the garden, even just for a few minutes, keep them locked and help shut burglars out.
  3. Pay attention: Pay particular attention when you’re outside in your garden, as you may not be able to see or hear someone entering your home.
  4. Tidy away tools: Ensure sheds, garages and outbuildings are locked and secure at all times – tidy away power tools and garden equipment after you’ve used them, don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.
  5. Burglar-proof your bikes: Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immovable object inside a locked shed or garage.
  6. Check access to windows: Burglars often target windows as they generally offer easier access than doors. Take a good look at your windows from the outside and remove potential access points where you can. Are there walls, bins or garden furniture that could be used to reach windows?
  7. Give burglars nowhere to hide: Burglars don’t want to be seen or heard and if they think they’ll be noticed by a neighbour or passer-by, they’ll probably move on. Cut back hedges at the front of your property to allow for a clear view over the top and don’t provide cover for anyone wishing to hide and make sure your security lights are working.
  8. Gates and fences: Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition, especially rear fencing and ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property.

For more home security advice, speak to your local police team, or visit northyorkshire.police.uk/homesecurity

Anyone with information related to recent thefts should call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If it’s an emergency and the burglary is still taking place, call 999 and ask for the police.