Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday, 10th August 2024, at 10:00hrs
A once quiet rural village compromising mainly farms and small outbuildings has seen a major residential development over recent years which has ultimately seen an increase in crime especially in the last week, and residents are calling for Police to take action.
Cottam that is just under six miles from Preston City Centre and around twelve miles from Blackpool has been hit with a spate of thefts and break-ins.
Thieves are targeting homes under the cover of darkness, stealing bikes, cars, and even being captured on ring doorbells trying residents’ doors.
Residents call for Lancashire Police to step up patrols in the area, especially during the night time in light of the increase of thefts in the area, which seems to be becoming a nightly occurrence.
Lancashire Police have previously encouraged residents to report crime to them so that they can build a clearer picture of the areas that patrols can be deployed to, they also advise residents to sign up to Lancashire Talking and to register their home cctv so that residents can help the Police deter and solve crime quicker. For more information on this visit Lancashire Constabularys website here 👉 https://www.lancashire.police.uk/contact-us/register-your-camera/#:~:text=If%20you%20would%20like%20to,please%20check%20your%20SPAM%20folder!
In a social media post local councillor Ben Ward said,
“Considering recent issues in the Cottam area, people may be interested in attending Lancashire’s first Crime Prevention Expo Event on Wednesday 14th August.
This free event is hosted by Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) and is taking place at UCLAN. Attendees can drop in at any time between 10am to 6pm.
There will be over 40 exhibits showcasing innovative solutions for enhancing community safety, and the event offers a unique opportunity for residents to engage with the police and local organisations.
For more information on this click here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crime-prevention-expo-tickets-904706179537?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2TItJ5NSsfi_sNYK8hlaprBv9XGlyB7Zr3El5rzMAVlzdT1VNXTeMz0oM_aem_1NW649B4iIQs9zelRvnS-Q
keep your home safe
Burglars will use a variety of ways to avoid being noticed.
They don’t want to be seen or heard by a neighbour or passer-by because they will feel exposed and identifiable.
You’d think that it would be best to make a property less visible from the street, and to keep it hidden from prying eyes behind overgrown bushes, trees, high fences or walls. In reality, all that this serves to do is make it easier for a burglar to get close to a home unnoticed, and provide somewhere to hide while carrying out a burglary or theft from the property.
Fencing
1) Lower fences at the front around one-metre high are preferable to high fences as they allow for a clear view over the top and don’t provide cover for anyone wishing to hide.
2) At the rear and sides, taller fencing is recommended to prevent easy access.
3) Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate.
4) Planting prickly or barbed shrubbery along boundaries and fence lines acts as an effective natural barrier.
5) Gravel driveways and paths will make sure you hear anyone approach.
CCTV
By using well-defined boundaries as a basis, CCTV can be a valuable tool. However, it doesn’t prevent a crime from being committed and does have limitations.
CCTV linked to a smartphone will alert you to someone crossing your boundary.
Most importantly, CCTV is no substitute for good quality physical security such as secure doors and windows.
Some cameras work by day and by night, and record when they detect movement. Some can be remotely viewed from a smartphone.
Position cameras where they are best able to obtain good quality facial images. Could you recognise or identify someone from the footage?
There is legislation for home CCTV use, so always seek advice from an accredited installer first to ensure your system complies with the law.
Place signage up warning that CCTV is in use.
House Alarms
Consider an accredited burglar alarm system with audible alarm boxes mounted high at the front and rear of your home. Two visible audible alarm boxes are better than one. Mount them at the front and rear of your home, high up to resist tampering.
There are three types of burglar alarm, varying in capability and cost:
Monitored – Once triggered, an alarm company or designated key holder can check to ensure it isn’t a false alarm.
Unmonitored – This type, once activated, will sound a loud alarm designed to scare off an intruder and alert neighbours but they are reliant on someone such as a neighbour checking the house.
Auto Dialler – This system, once activated, alerts pre-programmed key holders with either a text or a phone call.
The police will typically respond to a burglar alarm if requested to do so by a monitoring company but are less likely to respond to an unmonitored alarm.
If you have an extension to your home remember to extend your burglar alarm coverage as well.
Burglars have been known to use ladders to access upper windows that appear to be unlocked. This is to avoid intruder alarm sensors on the lower floor. To help protect your property from this approach, you should extend any alarm sensor coverage to upper rooms.
Signage is an effective deterrent if used with an active alarm system.
Lighting
(External lighting)
Lighting is a good deterrent and is recommended at doors as it makes it safer for you when coming and going after dark.
A clear, low white light that activates at dusk to dawn is ideal for lighting a yard and garden and allowing any person to be clearly seen.
Check to make sure that trees and plants do not obscure your lighting. It’s recommended that you regularly cut vegetation back.
Take care to position these lights so that light pollution doesn’t annoy your neighbours.
(Internal lighting)
Use an automatic plugin time switch to operate a lamp or light at pre-set times when you’re away.
Energy saving LED bulbs are best as they do not use as much electricity, last longer than conventional bulbs and do not generate heat, reducing fire risk.
In blocks of flats, automatic low energy lights that detect movement are recommended for corridors, stairwells and communal areas such as car parks and cycle stores.
Marking your property
A determined burglar can be difficult to discourage. Good-quality doors, windows and locks are excellent deterrents, but there’s even more you can do to stop burglars in their tracks.
Make your valuables less attractive to thieves by using a property or police approved forensic marking solution only visible under Ultraviolet (UV) light. This can take the form of a special marker using ink or paint. Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your address. All of these measures help police identify stolen goods, making it harder for thieves to sell. So make your mark. For information on police approved marking products. For more information on this visit here 👉 https://www.securedbydesign.com/
And property marking isn’t only for things like electrical items and bikes, you can also mark high value belongings like antiques. However, we recommend that you seek specialist advice.
Register your valuables using an accredited property database; these can be found on the secured by design link above.
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