NFU Mutual, has recently revealed that its network of more than 300 offices based across the rural community, think that crime in the countryside is on the increase. In fact, nine out of ten believe it is on the up, with 93% saying that local people are now more concerned about rural crime than in the past.

Based on their local knowledge, more than half of the offices surveyed (57%) think that both crimes against the home and garden crime are increasing in their area.

Laura Wood at NFU Mutual commented, “Our risk management team are now seeing more opportunistic theft taking place – with thieves prowling the countryside for high value portable items which they can get hold of easily and sell on quickly.”

Despite this apparent increase in rural crime, a third (33%) of offices said that worryingly, the people in their community are not becoming more security conscious.

Wood continues, “We recommend that people take a look at the impression their property would give to a would-be thief on the look out for their next target. Locked gates, warning stickers in windows and evidence of Security Lights and Alarms all help to persuade opportunist thieves to try their luck elsewhere. Equally the presence of a barking dog, geese, a noisy gravel drive and prickly bushes around ground floor windows can all help to put thieves off.”

Fit and use security locks to all perimeter doors

Fit and use window security locks on ground floor windows and accessible first floor windows

Fit security heavy-duty padlocks and/or alarms to garages and other outbuildings
Don’t leave valuables on view
Secure ladders and tools out of sight
Security mark valuable property with your name and Postcode
Set timers for lights and radios when you’re not at home
Keep large sums of cash or jewellery in suitable safe protection
Keep garden tools secure and out of sight
Consider outside security lighting protection, suitably installed and located

Wood concludes, “The value of the rural garden is also on the up. People may potentially be spending more on state of the art barbecues, expensive garden furniture, tools and in some cases, valuable statues. When taking out home insurance, people often forget about sheds, stores and gardens. Although many home insurance policies will cover garden thefts, if you have some particularly valuable items then you should probably specify them on your policy individually.”

Metal Detectors Your Safest Choice:
Everyone has taken the time to pass through a metal detector and known that feeling of safety associated with it. It’s very simply put: metal detectors work and make people feel safe.

That added feeling of security is found throughout many of our day to day buildings we use in our lives and is also available to schools. By designating a particular entrance available to those entering the school you can control who goes into the building and what they bring into it.

Hand-held Metal Detectors allow the teacher or security guard to physically detect whether the person entering has any metallic items on them. The security agent simply waves the hand-held detector around the person to locate the source of any metal object.

Wondering how metal detectors work? There is an interesting explanation behind this effective and crime preventing item. Metal detectors use electromagnetic induction to detect objects that are considered metallic. Inside of the metal detector is a tool that when induced by a metallic current, it creates a magnetic field. When the metallic field comes in contact with a gun, a knife or even something as small as a razor blade, the device either emits a warning sound or if preferred, vibrates silently in the holders hand to warn of the presence of the object.

Hand-held detectors are affordable and identify exactly where the metal is located on a person’s body.

Stop taking chances and consider the metal detector as a method of deterrence for would-be criminals. Any security expert will tell you that having a metal detector is the ultimate way to put fear into the hearts and minds of criminals. People will think twice when they realise they have to pass through a metal detector in order to gain entrance. Consider making your building or checkpoint safer buy a metal detector today.

Family rescued after arson attack

Six members of a family were rescued from their home after it was set alight in an arson attack. Burning objects and fuel were put through the letterbox of a flat in the Park Village area of Wolverhampton last Wednesday evening.

Two adults and four children were led to safety by firefighters. West Midlands Police said they were investigating the incident and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

There are specially made anti arson letterboxes which are readily available which would prevent such incidents. These boxes come in various sizes suitable for the small home right up to the commercial offices and are very easy to install in a few minutes. They contain a neoprene tube which holds the extinguishant and works within a few seconds of the heat rising within the box. What is more, they also help prevent the material from re-igniting.

Police are warning vehicle owners to be on their guard after a spate of theft and damage from cars in Borehamwood, Elstree and Radlett. In the last two weeks, 19 cars have been targetted according to Hertfordshire Police. Crime Prevention Officer Chrissie Barclay said: “Car criminals tend to be opportunistic and you can take precautions by parking in a well-lit spot or in your garage if you have one. Always lock your car. Never leave anything valuable in your vehicle and don’t leave ANYTHING visible.

“You may know that a sports bag on the back seat contains your football kit – but the criminal doesn’t. Don’t take that chance.”

To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of car crime, police advise:

When Parking/leaving your vehicle
• Close all windows, including the sunroof, and lock all doors.
• Turn on the immobiliser and alarm if you have one.
• Whenever possible park on your own drive, and remember to reverse the car in. The doors will then open the wrong way for a thief wanting protection. (One brilliant idea is to install a portable Driveway Alarm (pictured) which is so simple to use. The unit comes in two pieces, a transmitter and a receiver. Place the transmitter on your driveway at around waist height and perhaps at a 45 degree angle to the car. The receiver unit is kept indoors (you can even take it into the bedroom with you when you go to bed). Now, if anybody comes onto your driveway, the built-in movement detector will trigger the internal alarm to let you know that someone is about!).
• Put your aerial down to stop it being damaged.
• Don’t leave anything on display – take all your belongings with you.
• Remove your sat nav equipment remembering to also take the support cradle and suction pads.
• Remove your car stereo after every journey if it has a ‘face off’ facility
• Don’t leave anything of value in the glove compartment.
• Property-mark your stereo and satellite navigation system, and any other valuables you take into your car regularly.

For more advice about vehicle crime, look at www.herts.police.uk.