Safe Hutt Valley reminds residents to keep homes safe from burglary

Upper Hutt City Council and Hutt Valley Police would like to remind residents of what they can do to reduce their chances of being burgled.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 16 OCT 2014—Although burglaries and home invasions are rare, they can happen from time-to-time. Upper Hutt City Council, along with Hutt Valley Police, would like to remind residents that there is plenty they can do to make their homes unattractive to burglars and reduce their chances of being burgled.

1. Lock your doors and windows. With the warmer days approaching, residents should always check that doors and windows are closed and locked when going out. It can also be a good idea to keep them secure when at home. Security catches can be installed so that windows can be open while still preventing somebody from climbing in.

2. Build good relationships with your neighbours.

“Get to know the people in your street, look out for each other, especially if you are going away.” says Director of Community Services, Mike Ryan. “Consider forming a neighbourhood support group in your street, as this is an excellent way to encourage natural surveillance in your neighbourhood.”

When going away, ask your neighbour to collect your mail. You might also want to ask them to go into your house from time to time to manage curtains and lights and/or put washing on the line.

3. Security chains and peep-holes are excellent ways of enabling residents to see who’s at the door without having to open it. If you don’t know who is at your door, you don’t have to let them in. It’s not bad manners to ask for identification—it’s just good sense.

4. Security alarms are an effective deterrent. Some burglar alarms can also double as smoke detectors.

5. Don’t leave ladders or gardening tools lying around. These are attractive to burglars, and they can be used to break into a house.

6. Install powerful outside lights with motion sensors. Burglars don’t like to be seen, so will often run away when lights come on. Night visitors can also then be easily identified.

7. Don’t leave keys hidden outside, especially in those obvious places.

“If you get home and think your house has been broken into, don’t go in. There could still be someone inside, so move away to somewhere safe and call the police,” says Inspector Shane Cotter, Hutt Valley Police Acting Area Commander. “For the safety of you and your family, do all that you can to protect your home from being burgled.”

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