Don't leave Christmas presents out for burglars

Crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, is calling upon residents to be careful around their home security as domestic burglary tends to rise during the festive season. The charity is also appealing for anonymous information on this crime. [14 December 2009]

Christmas presents displayed under trees are a huge temptation for prowling burglars. But it won't just be Christmas presents they take, burglars will take whatever they can get hold of, so it's important people take extra measures to keep their property safe.

The campaign will involve Crimestoppers' regional volunteer committees mounting local campaigns using bus advertising, posters, leaflets, radio adverts, billboards and publicity.

Mick Laurie CBE, Crimestoppers' Chief Executive said: “Christmas is a time when we all get distracted with wondering what to buy, what to cook, when's the next party to attend; and so it's easy for people to sometimes forget about the security of their home. But with many presents sitting around trees it really is a temptation for burglars and within minutes they can have pilfered all the presents you've bought.

“We have used the theme of time in the campaign to highlight the impact of burglary – within minutes the presents you've put thought into and saved up to buy can be stolen. But it also takes very little time for someone to call Crimestoppers and tell us who did it to help try and bring justice to the victim, which will hopefully help them to feel safe in their home again.”

From a poll on the Crimestoppers website, asking users 'What type of crime do you fear most?' 'Theft or burglary' was the third most feared.

There were over 1000 votes and the results (as at Friday 11 December) were:

1. Knife crime – 34%
2. Sexual crime – 20%
3. Theft or burglary – 18%
4. Gun crime – 12%
5. Fraud – 8%
6. Drug crime – 8%

To see the latest results view the poll on Crimestoppers' home page.

Below are some steps that people could take to help make their home safer at Christmas:

• Put presents under the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning or keep the tree out of view from the window.
• Lock and bolt your doors and windows.
• If you are expecting a parcel, make sure someone is there when it is delivered, or ask a neighbour to take it in. Avoid having it left on the door step.
• Keep keys, mobile phones, purses, wallets and other valuable items locked away out of sight.
• Don't leave your keys in the door at any time.
• Never leave keys in view of the windows or doors.
• Once you've opened all your gifts, don't leave the boxes on view outside to advertise your good fortune to criminals.
• Don't leave messages on Facebook that you are not at home – otherwise you're advertising to burglars the best time to strike.

Further crime prevention advice.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Hannah Daws, Head of Communications on 020 8254 3230 / 07900 694904 hannah.daws@crimestoppers-uk.org or Lisa Gains, Media Officer on 020 8254 3252 / 07795 564313 lisa.gains@crimestoppers-uk.org .

Notes to editors

• DISCLAIMER: Crime prevention advice: Crimestoppers has put together the advice on crime prevention with the help of a number of partners, including the Home Office, APACS the Office of Fair Trading.
• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use secure online Giving Information Form.
• Around 19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every four days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 95,000 arrests and charges. Over £110 million worth of property has been recovered and over £178 million worth of drugs.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 710 arrests to date from 3,400 thousand appeals posted.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action' is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.