News
Hanging on to advice
Dated: 20 Apr 2012
[View Full Size]Officers in South Tyneside are hoping residents will hang on to police advice to deter burglars.
While crime rates continue to fall throughout the borough, recent figures show over 40% of burglaries are due to homes being left insecure.
To try and encourage people to get in the habit of locking their doors when at home, door hangers are being given out by officers.
These hang on the inside handle of a person's front or back door with the reminder message to 'LOCK YOUR DOOR'.
The hangers also come as part of the forcewide crackdown on burglary across April.
Detective Inspector Caroline Ord, from South Tyneside Area Command, said: "Opportunist thieves are only interested in a property that provides them easy access or where they can easily get their hands on small easily taken items left next to an open window.
"We know people are taking on board advice we've issued in the past but unfortunately we still get reports of sneak-in burglaries.
"Just remembering to lock your door can prevent the heartache and misery of being a burglary victim. The hangers are intended to give people a little reminder to do this which could end up saving them a lot in the future.
"We are continuing to do all we can to stop burglars in their tracks including extra patrols and undercover operations.
"Anyone who spots any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood should contact police."
People can contact police on 101, extension 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Further crime prevention advice can be found on the Northumbria Police website where people can also contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams:
http://www.northumbria.police.uk/your_neighbourhood/south_tyneside/
Sgt Sam Rennison pictured with the door hanger