Extra patrols are being carried out over the next few weeks in a bid to prevent burglaries in the Guildford area.

Burglaries in the county have fallen by 16% in the last three years, with Surrey holding the honour of the second lowest burglary rate in the South East, and police are stepping up patrols to maintain this low rate and reduce it further.

Officers will be patrolling hotspot areas by car in an effort to deter would-be burglars and offer reassurance to local residents.

Guildford Neighbourhood Inspector Julie Murray explained: “A survey carried out by a national insurance firm last year put Guildford in joint first place for being the safest place in England for burglaries. This cannot make us complacent, and we are determined to hold on to this accolade.

“As well as extra patrols, we will also be appealing to local homeowners to play their part by taking simple steps to protect their property. The Guildford Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be out and about across the borough, talking to local residents about home security and crime prevention and handing out property marking kits. These consist of UV pens which can be used to mark valuables with your postcode. Once they are marked it is easier to trace any recovered stolen goods and return them to their rightful owner as well as acting as a deterrent to burglars.”

Insp Murray continued: “We will also be running a series of neighbourhood burglary awareness days over the next four weeks, dates of which will be announced shortly. Officers will also be distributing crime prevention leaflets and working with local Neighbourhood Watch schemes to promote the campaign. We are determined to do all we can to prevent burglaries from occurring and to work with the local community to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Top ten tips to reduce the risk of burglary:

· Lock doors and windows - A third of burglars get in through a back window. Lock your doors and windows even when in the house particularly in an unoccupied room or if you are out in the garden. Make sure doors and frames are strong and in good condition.

· Check gates and fences – An open gate or broken fence can be a temptation to potential thieves.

· Keep desirable items from view – Valuables should not be easily visible or accessible to passers-by. Keep items including car keys, mobile phones, handbags and wallets out of sight.

· Switch on the lights - Don't advertise your absence, even when you're away on holiday. You can use time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances. Some exterior lights have an intra-red sensor that reacts to movement.

· Install a burglar alarm - Visible alarms make burglars think twice. There are a number of sophisticated alarm systems ranging in price. Consult your insurance company about which would suit your needs.

· Consider a door entry system – If you live in a flat the most vulnerable part is likely to be the front door. Fit hinge bolts to stop to door being pulled off its hinges and consider having a door telephone entry system installed.

· Don’t hide a spare key outside - Never keep spare keys in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat or in a flowerpot. These are the first places a thief will look. Give them to a trusted neighbour or family member.

· Secure garages and garden sheds - All the tools a burglar needs are usually kept here so keep them locked with a strong padlock.

· Look out for each other – Consider joining or supporting a Neighbourhood Watch group. Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home if you are going away to make sure post does not build up in the letterbox.

· Stay alert to suspicious behaviour – If you do see anything suspicious report it to police immediately.

If you have any queries or would like further information, please contact:

Nicola Burress, Tel: 01483 639210
Press and Publicity Officer for West Surrey Police

ENDS

The survey showing the UK's worst towns and cities for household theft was carried out by Endsleigh Insurance in May 2007 and cites Guildford as one of the top three towns in terms of household theft.

Endsleigh compared the frequency of theft claims in different UK towns and cities to the Endsleigh national average. The data therefore shows the likelihood of a theft occurring rather than just the total number of incidents that have occurred in each city.

The same survey carried out in 2006 by Endsleigh Insurance showed Guildford residents were least likely to suffer from burglary, with over 41% less claims than the national average.