Burglary

Burglary

Dear Resident, 

A burglary has occurred between the hours of 09:00-15:30 on 20th October in the area of Daveylands, Wilmslow. 

Please see below for further advice on reporting suspicious activity and crime prevention advice.  

You can spot and report suspicious activity, which is any person or vehicle that seems unusual or out of the ordinary. It could include: vehicles driving slowly past properties for no apparent reason; people seen wearing balaclavas, changing number plates, or walking around houses without explanation; smashing glass; and ex-offenders selling doorstep items.

Note down as much information as you can about the suspicious activity, including the exact time and location. If a vehicle is involved, record as much of the registration number as you can, as well as the colour, make, model, age and any distinguishing features of the car (damage, stickers, broken lights, roof racks, etc). For people, write down their gender, skin and hair colour, age, clothing styles and colours and any distinctive features (e.g. facial hair, accents, names, tattoos). If you have CCTV or video doorbells, make sure they work and you know how to operate them. Police won’t automatically respond to house alarms, but if you hear a neighbour’s go off please contact them to make sure there are no issues.

When you’re at home or out in the local area (such as walking the dog, jogging, or driving), stay alert to any suspicious activity and report it to the police:

Theft of vehicles

Usually, they involve breaking into a house to steal the car keys (and then the car), but for keyless-start/entry cars offences also involve stealing the car without the key (using a relay box to intercept the signal between the car and key). Fast German saloons (including BMWs, Audis and Mercedes), sporty hatchbacks (such as Seats, VWs and Fords) and Range Rovers are particularly favoured by thieves – regardless of their age. Vehicles can then be sold abroad or used in crime. Jewellery and expensive clothing accessories (such as designer handbags) are also targeted. Officers have identified three measures designed to prevent and deter these offences:

1. Steering wheel locks

Offenders can see steering wheel locks from the street, so fitting one to your vehicle acts as a clear deterrent before they set foot on your driveway. They are also a barrier to prevent your vehicle from being driven away. Keep the key to the lock separate from your car keys or use one with a key code. Any steering wheel lock can deter criminals, but police-approved ones can be found at www.soldsecure.com

2. Internal door bolts

These are a cheap and easy method to secure your home. Even if a burglar comes equipped to break into the exterior of your house, securing internal doors with bolts is another barrier that they may not be prepared for – and will certainly slow them down, making it unattractive to continue. Internal door bolts can be found at most DIY shops.

3. Collapsible bollards/retractable security posts

These are another clear obstacle that thieves may be unwilling to tackle: If they can’t get the vehicle out of the driveway it is less likely that they’ll try to steal it. Keep the key to the lock separate from your car keys. Police-approved retractable security posts (also called collapsible bollards) can be found through a search at this website: www.soldsecure.com

Other home and vehicle security measures include storing keyless-start car keys in a signal-proof (faraday) pouch, keeping vehicle computer systems up to date, fitting glazing film or laminated glass (not toughened) over windows, consulting an approved locksmith (www.locksmiths.co.uk) to fit snap-proof locks, moving garden furniture and tools away from the house, putting wheelie bins in between your car and the road and fitting bells to doors.

Don’t forget the basics: Leave keys and valuables out of sight; double check that all house and vehicle windows and doors are locked when not in use; switch on alarms and outside lights; and make your home looked lived in by using light and radio timers. 

If you require more advice, please visit Crime prevention advice | Cheshire Constabulary

Please note that Cheshire Alert isn't for reporting incidents to. All incident must be reported via 101, 999 in an emergency or visit Contact us to report a crime, incident or suspicion | Cheshire Constabulary

Regards

Lisa