Wokingham

Hot weather and summer holidays can give Wokingham criminals easy opportunities – burglars love open windows and empty homes so don’t give them a chance to sting you.

Ten Top Wokingham Tips To keep safe this summer

• Always fully close and lock all of your windows when you go out, even first floor windows and even if it is only for a minute.
• When you go to bed, shut and lock all downstairs windows and doors.
• Double lock front and back doors with a key and then remove the key.
• Keep keys hidden away from the front door but easily accessible in case of fire – otherwise thieves can reach them through the letterbox, window or cat flap.
• Ensure that all garden tools are put away and secured after use – they could be used to gain access to your home.
• Always lock your Wokingham side / back gate with a secure padlock.
• Use prickly plants in the garden to deter intruders. Defensive planting can be used to protect vulnerable windows.
• Good outdoor lighting can deter burglars. Fit dusk to dawn lights around perimeter of home.
• Make sure that all of your valuables are photographed and property marked.
• Use timer switches to make your house look occupied and consider joining your local Wokingham Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

We also have Roadshows from 10.00am until 2.00pm on the following days for you to obtain more information:

Wednesday July 22: Market Place, Wokingham
Tuesday July 28: Hare Hatch Garden Centre, Twyford.
Thursday August 20: Asda, Lower Earley.
Tuesday August 25: Winnersh Country Gardens.

For more advice see www.thamesvalley.police.uk/reduction. Or call 0845 8 505 505 and ask for a crime reduction advisor.

Stephanie Meyrick; Community Safety Officer; Wokingham Borough Council