Police issue crime prevention advice on burglary
Streatham Police have published this advice (below) for local residents with information on simple steps which can be taken to help prevent burglaries:
The Streatham area is currently experiencing a high level of day time burglaries. Peak time is between 2pm – 9pm. Practically all of these burglaries could be prevented if BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCKS are always used. It does not take a burglar long to get through a single lock, such as a Yale. The burglars open these single locks by “slipping them” with a piece of plastic, or by just forcing them with a shoulder barge or a kick or by unlocking them from the inside having broken a small window to gain access (access also gained through letter boxes).
The police urge all residents and businesses to be extra vigilant and to use BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCKS at all times. This includes when you are inside your property and not just when you leave! If you live in a multi-occupancy residence please speak to all flats to ensure this is done. Please report any sightings of suspicious people on 999 (we have arrested 7 burglars recently as a result of calls from the public). Please keep all valuable items hidden from easy view from front windows and doors. Please use window locks during the warm weather. A large number of bicycles left in hallways have been stolen so please remove these to where burglars cannot see them.”
Contact details for your local Safer Neighbourhood Team can be found here.
