Be vigilant! Police put on extra patrols across Dacorum after spate of burglaries

Police are issuing crime prevention advice as they urge members of the public to be vigilant with the darker nights closing in and given the fact some of the incidents took place in broad daylight.

The force has promised to ‘thoroughly investigate’ the series of burglaries which have taken place at homes in Hemel Hempstead, Bovingdon, Tring and Northchurch.

On Thursday October 16, offenders forced their way through a rear door of a property in Gravel Lane, Hemel, between 2.30pm and 7.50pm and it is believed they were disturbed by neighbours and made off empty handed (Crime ref D1/14/6293).

On the same day, between 12.45pm and 5pm, cash and jewellery were stolen from a property in Chipperfield Road, Bovingdon (Crime ref D1/14/6294).

A BMW car, laptop and were stolen from a property in Shendish Edge, Hemel, between 11pm on Wednesday October 15 and 2am the next day (Crime ref D1/14/6270).

Another car, this time an Audi, was stolen from a property in Grove Park, Tring between 9am and 3.25pm on Tuesday October 14 after the keys were taken from the property (Crime ref D3/14/540).

And offenders gained access to a property in Valley Road, Northchurch between 6.30pm on Monday October 13 and 8.30am on Tuesday October 14 but no items were stolen (Crime ref D2/14/769).

Detective Inspector Carolyn Taylder, from the Local Crime Unit at Hemel Hempstead, warned the culprits: “We are thoroughly investigating all incidents and additional police patrols are taking place across Dacorum to catch those responsible.

“A number of these burglaries have taken place during the day time so I’d urge people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in their area and report anything out of the ordinary to police immediately.

“I’d also ask people to be vigilant and take additional security precautions. Make sure you double lock your uPVC doors and ensure all doors and windows are locked when you leave your house.

“Now the nights are getting darker it is also advisable to leave a light on in your property, or use a timer switch, so it comes on when it starts getting darker. It will give the impression that someone is at home and a criminal will be less likely to target your property.”

Residents asked to take note of the following crime prevention advice:

– Make sure you double-lock any UPVC doors by lifting the handle and locking it (to engage the security features) before you go to bed or leave your home (if you remove the key make sure you have a fire escape plan).

– Consider installing alarms and ‘dusk to dawn’ security lighting

– Secure your rear garden - lock your shed, shut and lock any gates and keep fences maintained. Don’t leave ladders and tools outside - they could be used by a burglar

– Use timer switches on lamps to give the impression somebody is at home

– At home, keep all loose valuables out of sight of any would-be thieves.

– Don’t leave any boxes which advertise to thieves what’s available in your home outside by the dustbin. Where possible, keep your wheelie bin a good distance behind the gate or fence to prevent them being used to get into the garden.

– Post code marking your valuables with a UV pen and registering them on a free property database like www.immobilise.com can work as a deterrent to thieves and can increase the chances of your property being recovered if it is stolen.