As the daylight hours shorten we want to provide some important crime prevention advice to help you stay safe and secure.
We've also included a few photo examples of simple measures and products you can use to help protect your home and property
Keep your home well-lit: Use timers or smart bulbs to make it look like someone’s home even when you’re out.
Lock doors and windows: Even when you’re in, it’s good practice to keep entry points secure.
Secure sheds and garages: Tools and bikes are often targeted—keep them locked and out of sight.
Don’t leave valuables visible: Keep keys, wallets, and electronics away from windows and doors.
Report anything suspicious: If something doesn’t seem right, report it to police.
Plug In Timer Switches
It is important to make your home look occupied during the darker months, even if you have only popped out for a brief time.
Plug a bright lamp into a segment timer or digital timer in a living room or bedroom (rooms you are likely to occupy and ideally at the front of your house). You can decide when the light turns on and off by setting it to specified time periods. On digital timers, there is sometimes a random feature that will turn the lamp on and off sporadically.
Try looking at your house from the street. If you think your home looks unoccupied, a potential burglar will think the same.
Window Alarms
Keep windows closed and locked when you are not home. Remember to remove keys from the lock and place them somewhere safe away from view.
Window alarms emit a loud siren when activated by vibration. These alarms are easily stuck onto the glass of a window and are battery operated. There are on / off switches for straightforward operation.
Video Doorbells
Video doorbells allow you to see who is at your front door without having to open it via a smart device.
Most video doorbells also capture motion without the activation of the button, and some have an option to speak to visitors remotely via a smart device.
CCTV Cameras
CCTV cameras come in different forms; wired, wi-fi, fixed and moveable. Many have the option to view live camera feeds from a smart device.
Ensure any cameras you have store footage via an SD card which is placed in a secure location on the device or on the cloud.
Place them in a position which is not easily accessible for burglars. If you have wired CCTV cameras, try, and secure the wires so that they can’t be damaged.
Make sure your cameras adhere to the home CCTV legislation.
Faraday Pouches
If you have a keyless entry and start vehicle, place your keys into a faraday pouch. This pouch reduces the signal from your keys which is used to unlock your vehicle.
Burglars often use relay devices to open and start your vehicle without physically accessing your keys.
Keep your keys away from your vehicle and away from windows and doors.
Please report any suspicious activity to us as soon as you can as we rely on you to tell us if something is not right. If you believe a crime is about to happen, is happening or someone is in immediate danger, please call us on 999. Anything else, please call 101 or report online via Report a crime | Leicestershire Police Your online report will be sent directly through to our control room.
Together, we can keep our neighbourhood safe and welcoming for everyone.
Many thanks,
Your Local Belgrave Beat Team
Please do not report crime or incidents via 'Neighbourhood Link' as the messages are not always monitored.
