© duffieldderbyshire.co.uk - 2011 Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter (February 2012):  by Valerie Thorpe DEFROSTING MAKES IT EASY FOR THIEVES Police are advising motorists to be on their guard against so called ‘ frost - jackers’ in frosty weather by not leaving their vehicle unattended when defrosting the windscreen and thus preventing unnecessary thefts. In recent years a number of cars have been stolen after being left unattended with the ignition running while windscreens are defrosting. There have been several thefts where owners have left cars unattended with the keys in the ignition whilst defrosting the windscreens only to find their vehicle had been stolen on their return. Thieves work their way around estates looking for an opportunity like  this  to  steal  the  vehicles. There have also been recent reports of cars left unattended by owners being taken by opportunist thieves in the last month. A car was taken when a man left the keys in the ignition while dropping his children off at school and there have been incidents of delivery driver’s vehicles being stolen after being left with the engine running while dropping off parcels. Please  don’t  get  caught  out. Discourage burglars - most of them look for easy targets and so if they see an opportunity they are more tempted to break in.  These are a few tips to reduce the likelihood of being burgled: • Check around your property for security weak spots such as concealed entrances, poor lighting or doors and windows that can be opened from the outside. • Lock away garden tools and ladders that could help a thief break in. • Always lock your shed or garage – especially if it has a connecting door to your house. • Never leave keys in a lock • Never leave a key in a ‘secret’ hiding place like under the mat – burglars know them all! • Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight • Trim garden hedges so that doors and windows can be seen and no-one can hide. • Store valuable items (including passports, driving licences and bank statements) out of view • Hide cash and wallets away. • Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage • Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house • Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition • Install a visual burglar alarm • Install good outside lighting • Leave radios or lights on in your house on a timer when you are out. If you would like any home security advice please contact the Duffield Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 A reminder of police phone numbers: Non-emergency police calls:101 Call Reception Centre (CRC) for non-emergency calls for policing services across the whole of Derbyshire. Emergency calls: 999: • A life is in danger • A crime is being committed • Offenders are still in the area • A serious road collision has happened • There is a possibility of violence or criminal damage. Crimestoppers:0800 555 111 Crimestoppers Trust anonymous hotline number. Whatever the circumstances callers are not asked for their name and no attempt is made to trace the call. To contact the police with information about any crime:· Phone any time on 0800 555 111 -  FREE call anywhere in the Country· Name, address or phone number will not be asked. • The caller will not be contacted – Crimestoppers will give a phone number to ring back if necessary • An anonymous cash reward, paid by CRIMESTOPPERS TRUST, may be available if the information results in an arrest or charge. • The informant will not have to go to court. • No one will know who gave the Police the tip off. Valerie Thorpe For further crime prevention advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood team on 0345 123 3333. www.duffieldderbyshire.co.uk © duffieldderbyshire.co.uk - 2012