Police are urging members of the community to remain vigilant after dealing with a number of attempted burglaries in Chapel St Leonards in recent weeks.
Police said: ‘Investigations into the incidents remain ongoing, and we are pursuing all lines of enquiry available to us to bring those responsible to justice.
‘However, we want to ensure people have all the information they need to remain safe and keep their belongings protected.
‘The information below may help you, and additional resources can be found on the Lincolnshire Police website.’
If you see anything suspicious, please report it to us. Alternatively, you can report crime anonymously through Crimestoppers.
General Burglary Advice
- Look at your locks and see if they are old and whether they fit flush with the exterior of the door. If they seem older and don’t look like a flush fit to the outside of the door, consider changing them to a Secured By Design 3* TS007 Euro cylinder lock. You can find a local locksmith on the Master Locksmiths Association website.
- We recommend Immobilise, where you can log your valuables and record serial numbers – this helps in our investigations and means you are more likely to get your property back if it’s stolen.
- By becoming part of your local Neighbourhood Watch, you’ll be joining other like-minded neighbours who, by keeping their eyes and ears open, help to keep potential criminals out of the area.
- For more information about reducing your risk of burglary, visit our website section on crime prevention.
Caravan Burglary Advice
- Remove all valuables from your caravan, especially flat-screen TVs, games consoles, and DVD players. It’s tempting to leave them under the bed or in a cupboard. Don’t. Thieves will find them.
- Leave all the curtains open, remove net curtains, and leave cupboards empty with doors open. Make it clear to would-be thieves that there is nothing worth stealing.
- Make sure that all your contact details are up to date at the site office/storage office.
- Place a “valuables removed” sign on your windows.
- Make sure all windows are locked and, if possible, cable-tie the handles.
- Leave a blank sheet of paper inside the doorway when you finally lock up. A footprint can help trace an offender.
- Remove gas bottles as they can be a target for thieves.
- If your caravan is in regular use, we recommend property marking and property registering – you can register it for free on Immobilise. This helps our investigation if you do have items stolen and helps ensure you get them back.
Darker Nights Advice
- Protect your home as the nights draw in by locking up and leaving a light on to imply that someone is home.
- Keep your keys out of reach and out of sight – we have seen incidents where car keys have been targeted to steal a car by fishing them out via a letterbox or open window.
- Consider if your lock needs upgrading to a professionally fitted anti-snap lock. You can find a local locksmith on the Master Locksmiths Association website.
- We recommend Immobilise, where you can log your valuables and record serial numbers – this helps in our investigations and means you are more likely to get your property back if it’s stolen.
- By becoming part of your local Neighbourhood Watch, you’ll be joining other like-minded neighbours who, by keeping their eyes and ears open, help to keep potential criminals out of the area.
- For more information about reducing your risk of burglary, visit our website section on crime prevention.
Holiday Advice
Before you go, think about any visual indications that your home is empty. For example, is your mail visible and likely to pile up on your doormat? Have you left your bin out for collection? You may have a neighbour who can bring your bins in and keep an eye out for your home, and you can do the same in return.