BURGLARY Alert after elderly Southport residents targeted

BURGLARY Alert after elderly Southport residents targeted

Over recent weeks there have been three incidents where elderly residents of Pauls Lane and Granby Close in Southport have seen a young male looking into their homes from the back gardens. One incident was in daylight, whilst the other two were late at night. Whilst no burglaries have been reported, this is obviously very worrying, and can have a particularly great impact on vulnerable, elderly people. Homes in the area have been letter-dropped to make residents aware of the incidents. If anyone has any information on who may be responsible, or CCTV which may have captured any potential offenders, please contact your Southport Local Policing Team at Southport police Station on 0151 777 3442.
IN AN EMERGENCY, ALWAYS DIAL 999.

Merseyside Police is committed to creating safer neighbourhoods. Your Local Policing Team is working hard to deter and reduce the number of victims of crime, but we know that some of our residents are concerned about burglary, as the early dark nights present new opportunities for burglars. Officers will be out and about, checking door handles on buildings.

Insecure properties may have repercussions on your insurance should you fall victim.

Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s a good time to review your home and outbuilding security and ensure that the relevant security measures are in place such as:

• Check outside lighting is functioning correctly.
• Locking patio doors after use.
• Locking shed doors after use and consider fitting a shed alarm.
• Lock front and back doors with a key.
• Closing windows that can be accessed easily.
• Use timer switches for lights and radios in your home
• Mark or register your property with a property marking system or UV marker.
• In addition, putting away tools and devices used such as lawn mowers, garden equipment and DIY materials, thereby avoiding any unnecessary risks of theft or burglary as some garden tools are used by thieves to gain entry.
• Report any suspicious sightings or behaviour in your area.

Make your home appear occupied, even if it isn’t. If we can spot the obviously empty houses in your street, so can a burglar!

There is also a need to secure any cycling and associated equipment to avoid any loss and it is recommended that you have any equipment security marked or registered with your own personal details. Additional locks can be obtained for security and as an aid to prevent crime being committed. A number of security options are available from your local bike store.

Burglars are opportunists so please don’t make it easy for them. Your local Policing Team encourages ‘Home Watch’ groups in all neighbourhoods so please spread the word amongst other residents, family and friends and together we can make the area safer for one and all. If you would like to find out more on how to set up a Home Watch, please contact your local policing team.

If you have information about a crime or have general local concerns that you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to contact your Local Policing Team on 101.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They are a national charity independent to the police. You won’t be asked your name, just what you know.

Please be assured that your Local Policing Team is doing everything possible to reduce crime further. Follow the team on Facebook under SEFTON POLICE and Twitter @MerPolSouthport for up to date information on what is happening in your area.