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How secure is your home?

If you take a few simple steps to improve the security of your property, the risk you face of becoming a burglary victim drops dramatically. Did you know that more than 35% of burglaries involve an unlocked door or window? Locking up, and hiding away valuables can make a big difference.

In fact, anything from the thickness of your doors to the strength of your locks can decide whether or not you are burgled. Want to find out how safe your home is? You can use an online scorecard to find out how your property stacks up when it comes to security.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch (known as Home Watch in some areas) is one of the largest and most well-known crime prevention initiatives. Anyone can get involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Schemes allow local people to help the police cut crime. They also encourage people to be good neighbours and bring communities closer together.

How schemes work

Each scheme is led by a volunteer co-ordinator who gets their neighbours together to discuss how they can make their neighbourhood a safer place to live. The schemes can be large or small - it depends on the area and what the people living there want. They keep in close touch with local police to share information and advice.

What can Neighbourhood Watch schemes do?

Schemes can target local crime problems and take action to prevent them. Schemes should find out from local people what most concerns them and focus on a specific problem.

There are the key steps to targeting and reducing crime and the fear of crime in any area. In consultation with the local police, Neighbourhood Watch schemes:

• build up a picture of local crime
• carry out a ‘fear of crime’ survey
• target crimes where schemes can have a real impact
• identify the opportunities for crime in the area
• form an action plan to tackle the problem
• use the plan to block or reduce opportunities for criminals

In the past, Neighbourhood Watch activity focused on homes, with members looking out for anything suspicious, and helping their neighbours as necessary. However, more and more schemes are broadening the work they do. Local problems, such as vandalism or graffiti, can now often be targeted by well-organised schemes.

Get involved

You can find out more about how to get involved with Neighbourhood Watch on the Neighbourhood and Homewatch Network website, or by visiting your local police station and asking for information.

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