The 5 Most Common Winter Crimes - Elan Fire and Security

It’s mid October and the cold days and nights are starting to draw in. Soon it will be winter, dark by 4pm and we’ll be getting ready for the festive season. I have already seen Christmas trees up in a town centre where we maintain and install the public space CCTV system!

But, whilst we start to settle down with our warm drinks and catch ourselves an early night, the cold streets outside play host to a selection of criminally thinking opportunistic individuals, who blanket themselves in the darkness, as we blanket ourselves in bed.

Recovering from the daily exhaustion of work days and starting to put our spare money aside to spend on Christmas presents for everyone, it is a difficult time of year for most. But for some unfortunate souls, it’s made even more difficult as they fall victim to a variety of common winter crimes.

This time of year unfortunately we always start to see a sharp rise in the crime rate, homes being burgled and the hard earned presents purchased for your family and friends being stolen. I personally have been to many a break in after it has happened to quote for home security systems, and i can tell you an empty space under a Christmas tree is not a pretty site and very distressing.

Here are 5 common winter crimes, you might not have thought of:

1. Sneak in burglaries
As the evenings draw in early, often while we are still out and about, or working, our homes are left standing empty in the dark, providing a beacon of light for opportunistic criminals who may see a dark house as a chance to commit a burglary. But, even when we get home and turn on the lights, the chances of a criminal taking up a break-in opportunity does not lessen. Sneak in burglaries are when criminals sneak into the home via unlatched windows and unlocked doors, using the cover of darkness to mask their presence upon entry. These crimes are quick and often quiet, so the best way to protect against them is to install external floodlights, and /or external CCTV to stop and capture the would-be criminal in their tracks. Other methods of protection are to lock your doors and windows as soon as you get in, switch on a light in each room, and draw the curtains to hide the contents of your house and your whereabouts in it. Alarm Systems are also a great external deterrent.

2. Bogus door-to-door Callers
In the depths of winter, it is common to have heating and boiler issues, but it is not common for your energy supplier or a “handyman” to stop by and check if you have them! In winter, there is a rise of bogus callers who knock on your house with the guise of wanting to help. Do not give them entry to your home, no matter the weather – if you didn’t request them, It’s not them.

3. Night Attacks
As mentioned, the nights are longer in winter and it gets while we are still out and about. Because of this, there is a rise in night attacks. Muggers can take advantage of the dark corners of the streets and pry on unsuspecting passers-by. To protect against this or as best as you can, try and stick to well-lit paths, try to walk with a friend or use public transport/ a taxi to get from A-B and dont walk along using your mobile phone that is lit up like a Christmas tree! Also, carry a personal alarm and keep your keys handy that can be used in self-defence if needed. (not that we condone violence is anyway!)

4. Anti-social behaviour
Long dark nights can have us all going stir crazy being stuck indoors, but in winter there is a rise in anti-social crime. The cover of darkness provides a perfect opportunity for some to cause mischief around the community, and while you can’t pro-actively protect yourself against unruly behaviour, you can deal with it straight away by calling the police on 101 (999 ONLY if it’s an emergency) and use CCTV and / or external lights as a deterrent and to capture the behaviour as evidence.

5. Shed/Garage break in’s.
Much like the sneak in burglaries, garages and sheds are often targeted by opportunistic thief’s who will use the lack of light to mask their unlawful doings. The way to protect against this is to treat your garages and sheds like your home, keep the area well lit and in view of any CCTV cameras nearby. Keep the doors locked properly, and fix any weather damage, particularly to garden sheds, to retain the structural integrity of the building – which will make it harder for the criminal to gain access via any other way then the locked door.

Did you know? We can help you spread the cost of protection this winter across our entire domestic range of CCTV, Intruder Alarm and Door Entry systems. Let us help you spread the cost of protection this winter.

Dont leave it until its too late!