HOME SECURITY SURVEYA guide to help prevent crimeoccurring in and around your home

Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in needwww.west-midlands.police.uk

The Police understand that burglary canbe emotionally devastating andfinancially costly to victims and theirfamilies.

This information offers you practicaladvice on how to improve the security ofyour home and protect your belongings.

You can use this simple Home SecuritySurvey to identify weaknesses in yourown home security and do somethingabout it by following the advicecontained in this leaflet.

How to Use the ChecklistUse the checklist, together with thenotes at the front of this booklet.Consider each item and decide “does itrequire attention or not?” and tickappropriately. If attention is required tickoff the ‘Action Taken’ box when youhave taken action to rectify the problem.

At the end of your survey you should beable to identify any weaknesses in yourhome security. You will know when youhave done all that you can as each itemshould be ticked as ‘yes’ or ‘action hasbeen taken’

1. LightingCriminals prefer to commit crime wherethey cannot be seen. Opportunistthieves often target houses that look likeno-one is at home, so consider installingtimer switches to lights around thehouse so it appears that the property isoccupied. Consider fitting sensorlighting, which will activate from dusk todawn, to the front and back of yourhome.

2. Overgrown shrubs or bushes Keep a check on your own plantingsaround your home. If they get out ofhand they can assist criminals withhiding places. Plantings should ideallybe no more than one meter high andtree canopies no lower than two metresfrom the ground. High hedges at thefront of your property will reduce naturalsurveillance and allow intruders tooperate without being seen. This mayprevent your neighbours from seeingany criminal activity and raising thealarm for you. We recommend lowhedges at the front of your property andhigh hedges to the rear.

3. Stepping StonesThese are all those opportunities for acriminal to gain access to your gardenby using anything convenient to climbover your fence. This could be as simpleas a 1m fence joining a 2m fence, or adustbin or even a pile of wood. Checkthe outside perimeter of your propertyfor anything that might be of use to thecriminal to climb over your fence.

Crime Prevention

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4. FencingIs your fencing in good condition? You are alloweda 1m fence at the front and a 2m fence at the rearof your property. Front fences will create adefensible space; rear fences will form a securebarrier against intruders and can be increased inheight with trellis where necessary. Barbed wire,razor wire and carpet gripper etc. should not beused as you have a duty of care to prevent anyoneaccidentally injuring themselves. Trellis should notbe robust enough to become a climbing aid andthe diamond shaped trellis is the preferred style asit is harder to climb. If using fence panels withconcrete posts then these need to be secured withgalvanised strips to stop offenders from lifting thepanels.

5. DoorsYour front door should be in good condition and ofstrong design. Wooden doors should be solidtimber with a British standard 5 lever mortice lockand a deadlocking rim lock on. Consider whenyour keys were last replaced, whether past ownersor tenants may still have access to your home, andwhether anyone may have made copies of yourkeys without your knowledge. If you are worried,ask a professional locksmith to change your locksand fit an approved patented system, wherebykeys can only be copied with proof of ownership.The door should be fitted with a door viewerunless any callers can be clearly seen by othermeans. When considering buying new doors thesecurity standard is PAS 24 (2012 or 2016) orLPS1175 Security Rating 2, which isrecommended by Secure by Design.

UPVC doors should always be locked with a keyand ensure you engage the multi lockingmechanism.

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6. WindowsCheck the strength and condition ofyour windows and frames. Rememberthe most vulnerable windows are thoseat ground level and any above a flat roof.

Wooden windows can be just as strongas UPVC windows providing goodhinges and locks are used. Normaldouble glazed units do offer a good levelof security under normal circumstances.Consider fitting laminated glass if youhave a considerable fear of crime.Security films are also available, whichcan be applied to glass to give it theproperties of laminated glass. Alwaysconsult a specialist.

If considering new windows, ensure thatall opening windows are fitted withmulti-point locking and shoot bolts.Remember to make sure you canescape from an upstairs window in theevent of a fire. The Standard is PAS242012-2016.

7. GatesDo you have gates that will deterintruders? Any side gates shouldalways be kept locked and bolted andbe in good working order. Again trelliscould increase the height if required, butmake sure this does not create aclimbing aid when used with thesupporting rails.

8. Defensive PlantingSpiky or thorny plants can provide aneffective barrier to intruders, there is alist at the back of this leaflet that willhelp you decide what type of plants arebest. You can use such plants toimprove security at the perimeter of yourhome where an intruder may try to climba fence, wall or gate. Ask at your local

garden centre what is available, and howto use it. Remember to ask how quicklyit grows and how big it will get.Defensive planting can also be usedunder any accessible windows to stopoffenders gaining access to them toeither look inside or attack.

9. Garden Ornaments and plantsSome of your garden ornaments andplants may be very expensive and verydesirable to a thief. It is suggested thatyou use low value plants and ornamentsat the front of the property which may betargeted by thieves, and keep the bestornaments and plants for the privacy ofyour rear garden.

10. Items of use to a criminalOften criminals are opportunists and arenot necessarily prepared for what theydo. If you leave items out for them suchas ladders, garden implements, or evena plant pot to put through a window thenyou make their job easier. Check aroundyour property both front and back, andremove or lock up items the criminalmight find useful to commit the crime.

11. DustbinsDustbins have uses for criminals. Theyuse them to climb over fences, climb upto open windows and to wheel awayyour stolen goods. Make a secure fixingthat the dustbin can be secured to awayfrom side gates, flat roofs and windows.

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12. Garden ShedMake sure that your garden shed issecure. Valuable items such as fishingtackle and golf equipment should not bestored there. If the shed cannot besecured then make sure no items arestored there that could be used to breakinto your home, such as ladders, gardentools and electrical equipment. Makesure that the roof and walls of the shedare fixed and robust in construction. Anyglazed panel should be internallyprotected using, for example, timberbatons, chicken wire or hard board.Consider chaining all larger itemstogether with a chain and padlock. Alsoconsider fitting a shed alarm.

13. Net curtains/ BlindsNet curtains do a simple job. They allowyou to see out of the house but preventanyone looking in. If intruders can’t seein then they can’t see what you haveand are not tempted to try. If you haveblinds fitted ensure they are closed orangled sufficiently to serve the samepurpose.

14. Valuable Items on displayIt is a good idea if you can placevaluable items such as laptops, tablets,games consoles, smart phones' andthen carry onto TV's etc. away fromview. Again remove temptation andremove the risk.

15. House AlarmIf you want a professionally fitted housealarm you will have to approach areputable company. The regulatorybodies for alarm companies are SSAIBand NSI. Any companies who aremembers of these organisations willprovide a quality product and service.Alarms should have dual or Quad techsensors, live front and back bell boxesand have auto dialler fitted as standard.If you do fit an alarm, consider who willrespond to it. Do not just assume thatsomeone will respond if it is a bells onlyalarm. Locate friendly neighbours whoagree that they will check the premises ifthe alarm activates.

16. Bogus CallersDo not open door to unknown persons.If genuine they will call back or considerusing the password scheme run by allgeneral utility companies.

17. InsuranceInsurance gives peace of mind and maynot be as expensive as you may think. Ifyou are a homeowner then you will needto insure the building, but contentscover should be considered.

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18. Property Marking / trackingMark valuables using one of thenumerous methods of marking that areavailable, such as engraving for jewellery.

Remember if it is marked and stolen youstand a greater chance of getting it back.It will also be of reduced value to thethief.

Make a note of all serial numbers ofelectrical goods etc. using the formprovided in this booklet.

Download tracking Apps onto laptops,mobile phones etc.

Keep valuables items, such as jewellery,hidden and preferably locked away. Donot leave safes unsecured in wardrobes.

19. Car ParkingNever leave Keys in ignition (warmingor defrosting the car), or near a windowor door. If the only place to park is out onthe street then fit a car alarm, vehicleimmobiliser, steering wheel locks orwheel clamps. If you have a drive orgarage please use it. Park your car undera window or consider installing anexternal light to light up the parking areaat night. Put up gates or a security postand lock them at night. Make sure yourcar is locked if left unattended.

20. FinallyDON’T keep large quantities of cash inthe house.

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Useful websites

The Secured by Designinitiative supports the aimof ‘designing out crime’from homes andcommercial premises.

Look for this logo and you can be surethat Crime Prevention has been takeninto account at the design andconstruction stage.www.securedbydesign.com

Sold Secure is one of theUK’s leading testing andcertification agencies forSecurity Products. Startedby the Police in the early90’s this non-profitdistributing company isdedicated to the reduction

of crime through rigorous testing againststringent test standards, replicating whatthieves do, to ensure that approvedproducts provide an adequate level ofsecurity. www.soldsecure.com

Victim Support www.victimsupport.org

Crime stoppers0800 555111

Local Police Team101www.west-midlands.police.uk

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Your premises Action required Action taken

Front of house and boundary Yes No

Overgrown shrubs and bushes

Stepping stones

Defensive planting

Garden ornaments and plants

Items of use to a burglar

Lighting

Gates

Fences

Tools

Live alarm box

Front Door Yes No

Strength of door

Frame reinforcement

Five lever morticelock or 3 star

Securable letterbox

Door viewer

Door chain / bar

Door glazing

Glazing near to door

Windows Yes No

Condition

Glazing

Sash locks

Window locks

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Your premises Action required Action taken

Inside Your House Yes No

Net curtains / blinds

Valuable items on display

Insurance - home contents

Insurance - buildings

Photographs of expensive Items

Note of model and serial numbers

Property marked

Timer switches on lights

Large amounts of cash

A safe

House Alarm

Rear of house and boundary Yes No

Overgrown shrubs and bushes

Stepping stones

Defensible planting

Trellis or fence toppings

Valuable garden items

Items of use to a burglar

Dustbin

Shed

Fence

Gates

Lighting

Live alarm box

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RECORD OF YOUR VALUABLE ITEMSPlease examine your property and record details below for future reference, also consider

photographing items.

Date of Purchase Value Make Model Colour Serial Number

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DEFENSIVE PLANTING – Ramblingand climbing Roses Climbing and rambling roses are usedup walls, trellises, pillars, fences, posts,trees and any unsightly area within thegarden.

Rambling roses generally have stemsthat are much more lax and pliablemaking them easier to grow throughtrees, hedges and fences. They are alsovery useful as a screen in the garden.

For further advice you can visit yourlocal garden centres.

Rambling Rose examples: Bobbie James -Huge sprays ofsemi-doublecreamy whiteblooms, scented.Very vigorous.Summerflowering. Goodfor climbing intotrees and hedges.Size: 9m x 6m.

Kiftsgate -extremelyrampant ramblerbearing hugetrusses of smallsingle creamyflowers. Strongfragrance.

Summer flowering. Suitable for growinginto a tree. Red hips in autumn. Size: 9m x 6m

All of the below are suitable fordefensive planting around your garden.They all have thorns and spikes whichcan prevent an intruder from gainingaccess to your garden. They are allavailable from local garden centres. Ifyou are unsure about the suitability of aplant you see, consult the staff at thegarden centre and will be happy to help.

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Juniperus x media Juniper 'Old Gold' Evergreen, golden tipped foliage

Juniperus horizontalis, ‘wiltonii’, Creeping Juniper Blue carpet

Mahonia bealei 'Winter sun' Evergreen with yellow flowers

Gunnera Manicata-Giant Rhubarb Rhubarb like leaves on erect stems

Picea pungens 'Globosa' Blue Spruce Spiky needles

Phyllostachys aurea - Golden Bamboo Very graceful

Ulex europaeus Common gorse

Pyracantha Climbing evergreen, 10 ft

Hippaphae rhamnoides Large thorny shrub with silver foliage

Berberis julianae Yellow, early flowering

Berberis stenophylla Graceful evergreen, prickly branches

Berberis ottawensis superba Rich purple foliage

Berberis gagnepainii 18 ins

Berberis Thunbergii-Autropurpurea 3 ft

Berberis Buxifolia Nana 2 ft

Berberis Calliantha 3-4 ft

Berberis Candidula 3-5ft (slow growing)

Berberis Dictyophylla Hawthorn

Berberis Verruculosa 4-5 ft

Crataegus Monogyna 3-5ft

Mahonia Bealei Ground cover, shrubs and hedges

Chaenomoles Japonica Hedge, trim to required height

Rosa fruhlings (gold yellow)

Rosa rugosa rubra (Crimson)

Rosa blanc double de Coubert (White)

Rosa Frau Dagmar Hastrup

Albertine (blush pink, scented) Climbing roses

Helenae (creamy white, scented)

Leverkusen (lemon yellow, scented)

Francis E Lester Rambler

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Supp

ort

and

info

rmat

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Bein

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vict

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f crim

e ca

n be

dis

tres

sing

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The

impa

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ill v

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man

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rece

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me

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hel

p th

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Cod

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G

over

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xpla

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wha

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and

info

rmat

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vict

ims

of c

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– bo

th p

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sine

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–

can

expe

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ome

vict

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umst

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mpl

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vic

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led

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sup

port

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s is

al

so e

xpla

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in th

e Co

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Repo

rtin

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ime

You

can

repo

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the

polic

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vis

iting

a p

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atio

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one

or o

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polic

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abou

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t to

expe

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om th

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al

just

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fter

repo

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If

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agre

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tim s

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isat

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en

title

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How

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r va

luab

le h

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for p

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ho’v

e ex

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crim

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ing

prac

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an

d em

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You

may

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mak

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stat

emen

t to

expl

ain

wha

t hap

pene

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you

. If y

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you

can

also

mak

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Vic

tim P

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nal S

tate

men

t (V

PS)

expl

aini

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has

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Kee

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you

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The

polic

e w

ill u

pdat

e yo

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pro

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s w

ith th

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vest

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lett

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you

know

of

any

arr

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or s

uspe

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arge

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You

can

agre

e w

ith th

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how

oft

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wou

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Goi

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If yo

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wel

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a w

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tria

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your

cas

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you

will

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assi

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can

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da

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wha

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appe

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out t

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and

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cou

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spec

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bee

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hel

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pris

on.

They

will

sup

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se is

fini

shed

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Bein

g a

wit

ness

If yo

u ar

e a

witn

ess

in th

e tr

ial y

ou c

an

ask

to u

se S

peci

al M

easu

res w

hich

can

he

lp y

ou to

giv

e yo

ur b

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vide

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Sp

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ight

mea

n ha

ving

a

scre

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itnes

s bo

x or

giv

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evid

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by

live

vide

o-lin

k, s

o th

at

you

don’

t hav

e to

face

the

susp

ect

or th

eir f

riend

s an

d fa

mily

.

You

can

also

ask

cou

rt s

taff

if y

ou c

an

wai

t in

an a

rea

away

from

the

susp

ect

and

thei

r frie

nds

and

fam

ily.

The

verd

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If th

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spec

t is f

ound

gui

lty,

you

can

ask

to re

ad o

ut y

our V

ictim

Pe

rson

al S

tate

men

t in

cour

t, or

for

som

ebod

y to

read

it fo

r you

if y

ou p

refe

r. Th

e ju

dge

will

take

this

into

acc

ount

w

hen

deci

ding

on

the

sent

ence

.

Your

Witn

ess C

are

Offi

cer o

r oth

er p

oint

of

con

tact

will

exp

lain

to y

ou w

hat t

he

sent

ence

mea

ns.

If th

e of

fend

er is

allo

wed

to a

ppea

l ag

ains

t the

sen

tenc

e or

con

vict

ion,

you

r co

ntac

t sho

uld

tell

you

whe

re a

nd w

hen

the

appe

al h

earin

g w

ill ta

ke p

lace

.

Rest

orat

ive

Just

ice

As a

vic

tim o

f crim

e yo

u m

ay b

e ab

le

to ta

ke p

art i

n Re

stor

ativ

e Ju

stic

e. T

his

is w

hen

thos

e ha

rmed

by

a cr

ime

have

co

ntac

t with

the

offe

nder

so

that

bot

h ca

n fin

d a

posi

tive

way

forw

ard.

Bot

h th

e vi

ctim

and

off

ende

r nee

d to

agr

ee fo

r the

co

ntac

t to

take

pla

ce.

The

Vic

tim

s’ C

ode

Vic

tim

s of

cri

me:

Und

erst

andi

ng t

he s

uppo

rt y

ou c

an e

xpec

t

The

Vic

tim C

onta

ct S

chem

e is

a

spec

ial s

ervi

ce fo

r vic

tims o

f sex

ual

and/

or v

iole

nt c

rimes

whe

re th

e of

fend

er is

sen

tenc

ed to

twel

ve

mon

ths o

r mor

e in

pris

on. I

f you

us

e th

is s

chem

e, y

ou w

ill b

e ke

pt u

p to

dat

e ab

out w

hat h

appe

ns to

the

offe

nder

aft

er th

ey a

re fo

und

guilt

y an

d un

til th

ey h

ave

com

plet

ed

thei

r sen

tenc

e.w

ww

.gov

.uk

59541VC

For more information see the West Midlands Police website and searchfor ‘victims code’https://www.west-midlands.police.uk or call 101Other sources of information can be found at the followinghttps ://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ or call 0808 16 89 111www.victimsinformationservice.org.uk or call 0808 168 9293 http://www.cps.gov.uk or call 0203 357 0899

www.west-midlands.police.uk

Website http://www.west-midlands.police.ukTwitter www.twitter.com/wmpoliceFacebook www.facebook.com/westmidlandspoliceYouTube www.youtube.com/westmidlandspoliceFlickr www.flickr.com/westmidlandspolice

The new WMP website allows you to find awide range news, advice and support as wellas the ability to report incidents to the Policeand track the outcomes of your cases.

The WM Now messaging service allows you toreceive relevant information about your area.

You will be kept up to date with alerts about localcrime, advice about protecting yourself and yourfamily and have the chance to reply to appealsand make comments back to your local policingteam.