HOMEWATCH NEWS 2010
(If you have information about any unlawful incidents please call the Police on 
0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111. For more information visit www.norfolk.police.uk)

Issued 1 June 2011
Keyholder scheme to give peace of mind
An initiative to ensure peace of mind to both business and home owners has been re-launched by Norfolk Constabulary. Norfolk Keyholder is a database of nominated individuals, including the owner, who can be contacted if an alarm sounds or an incident develops at the premises.
The scheme saves time and inconvenience as it enables the building to be secured avoiding further loss, cost or injury. It requires the property owner to nominate themselves and four additional keyholders who would be able to access the property in an emergency.
If an incident occurs at the resident’s property and the resident is away, one of the other keyholders will be contacted by a police officer. If suspicious activity is reported at the location an officer will also be requested to attend.
The system will be administered by staff in the Constabulary Contact and Control Room, with all the personal data held securely in accordance with national data quality principles and standards.
For non commercial properties the cost is £13/annum, while for commercial premises the cost is £25/annum.
For more information and a registration form please go to the safety advice pages of the Norfolk Constabulary website at  www.norfolk.police.uk and look at the business advice section.

Issued 16 May 2011
To all Norfolk Home Watch co-ordinators and members:
I would like to take the opportunity to tell you about the new Neighbourhood and Home Watch website www.ourwatch.org.uk.
The website has been endorsed by Home Office and Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire.
At www.ourwatch.org.uk you will be able to insert your postcode to identify local Home Watch schemes in your area.
I would also like to invite all Home Watch Co-ordinators to register their schemes on the map by clicking on the following link: http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/get_involved/register_a_scheme/.
The website also links through to the national street-level crime mapping site so you can see what crime has happened where you live in the past month.
Details of your local Safer Neighbourhood Team can also be accessed through the website – and of course, via Norfolk Constabulary’s website www.norfolk.police.uk.
I do hope you’ll take a moment to have a look at the new website which has been designed to support local Home Watch schemes.
Kind regards, John Bebbington - Chair, Norfolk Home Watch Association

Issued 25 March 2011
Clocks Going Forward - Crime Prevention Advice 
With the clocks going forward this weekend householders across Norfolk are being urged not to make it easy for potential thieves.  Officers are advising people to pay extra attention to home and vehicle security with the onset of the warm weather – often seen as an opportunist time for this type of crime.
PC Gail Kevern, Norfolk Constabulary's Crime Prevention Co-ordinator, said: “Most thefts are carried out by opportunist thieves. The summer months can bring with them thieves on the look-out for lapses in security – such as doors and windows left open or property left on display at beauty spot car parks. People are advised to be aware and make use of simple crime prevention methods which deprive thieves of the opportunity to steal.” 
 
Norfolk Constabulary offers the following advice to residents:
Windows
Keep windows locked.  Remove the keys and keep them in a safe place.  However, everyone should know where the keys are kept so they can escape in an emergency. 
Doors 
Keep your front and back doors locked or in view when you are at home. 
Use or consider fitting a door chain and spy hole- a chain allows you to speak to the caller without opening the door fully and the spy hole also you to see who is at the door.  
Fit five lever mortise deadlocks to all external doors.  Fit multi-locking systems to patio doors or install mortise security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors.  Consider fitting a letterbox cage or restrictor which prevents burglars from putting their hands or gadgets through the letter box and trying the latches from the inside. 
Keys 
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, burglars know all the usual hiding places.  Never leave your house or car keys in or near a door or window. Attention should also be paid to the security of sheds and garages and to the property stored within. 
Parked cars – especially those left in remote areas such as beauty spots – should be left locked and secure with no property left on display and satellite navigation devices, car audio equipment, cameras, handbags and laptops should be removed from the vehicle entirely.
People attending large scale events or out and about in busy areas should be mindful of thieves and keep handbags closed and mobile phones out of sight and kept securely on their person. 
PC Kevern, added: “Norfolk is an extremely safe place to live and your chances of being a victim of such crime still remain extremely low but you should look at your home through a thief's eyes. Don’t become an easy target. We would also encourage people to be a good neighbour - If anyone is spotted acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood, call the police."
Anyone with information about thieves operating in the area should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.