NSHouses
Neighbourhood Support Waitakere

Safety Tips

Personal Safety in public
Personal Safety in the home along with Holiday Security tips
Motor Vehicle Crime

Personal Safety in Public
Handbag Safety:

There are a number of ways to reduce the chance of your handbag / wallet etc being taken.
This crime is easy pickings for offenders and it requires little planning and will take the victim by surprise.

  •  Carry your bag so it can not be snatched from behind.
  •  When walking near moving vehicles, hold your bag on the side away from the traffic.
  •  Avoid isolated areas.
  •  Consider keeping your cards, keys and mobile phone separate from your bag.
  •  Never let your bag out of your sight.
  •  When shopping secure your bag to the trolley.
  •  Never leave bag open.
  •  Keep your doors locked when travelling in a motor vehicle.
  •  Ensure people can not lean into vehicle through open windows.
  •  Keep your bags out of sight.
  •  Park in places where there is a lot of people.
  •  Check before you get out of your car for any suspicious people loitering nearby.
  •  Never leave bags / valuables on display in an unattended vehicle.
  •  Have your keys in your hand when you return to your car. Means you can unlock your car immediately.
  •  Hold onto handbag until inside of vehicle, don't place on ground or roof of car.

ATM / Credit Card Safety:
  •  Withdraw only small amounts of money from ATM machines at any one time.
  •  Try to shop using only cards, reduce the amount of cash you carry.
  •  Shield your PIN number, be alert for people watching you, this is often called shoulder surfing.
  •  If you have to use an ATM at night try to find one in an area that is busy and well lit.
  •  Carry only the cards you require at that time leave the rest at home.
  •  Keep record and account numbers of all credit cards at home.
  •  Never supply anyone your PIN number. Banks and Police do not even require them.
  •  Don't have easily guessed PIN Numbers.
  •  Try to memorise your number.
  •  Use different PINS for different cards.
  •  Match credit cards statements with your receipts.
  •  Report any theft or loss of card immediately to your bank.

What to look for in a Car park:

You are not always going to see the bad guy, but there are things to be aware of that can assist.

  •  Cars with several persons in it, waiting in the car park, often wearing hoods etc.
  •  Vehicles backed into car park with driver sitting in it. Maybe aiming for quick getaway.
  •  Vehicles with engines running.
  •  Suspicious people waiting close to a vehicle whose driver is waiting in the vehicle.
  •  Vehicles missing number plates or have plates that are incorrectly attached, indicating possible stolen plate.

Most of these offenders do not wish confrontation, if they feel they have been sprung they will normally leave.

  •  Make it obvious you are watching them.
  •  Take note of registration.
  •  Speak to security about the vehicle or persons.
  •  While watching use a mobile phone, either to call or pretend to.

Obtaining a Good Description:

Obtaining good descriptions of offenders or vehicles can help the police to catch these people.

  •  If you see someone acting suspiciously write down what you see as soon as possible.
  •  If you write down a reg number on paper or something do not throw it away, this is good evidence.

 Describe the following of offender:

* Male or Female
* Age Group
* Race
* Height
* Body size
* Hair cut
* Hair Colour
* Headwear
* Clothing
* Footwear
* What are the carrying
* Facial Features
* Facial Hair
* Tattoos
* Jewellery / Piercings
* Glasses


 Describe the following of vehicle:

* Registration Number, if possible check both plates the same.
* Colour
* Make and Model
* Any Damage
* State of vehicle, was it rusty etc.
* Any writings on it.
* Any attachments like roof racks etc.
* Direction of travel when it left.


Reporting on suspicious activity:
  •  Keep record of the time and date of your observations.
  •  If suspicious person observed or crime being committed phone 111 and ask for police.
  •  Give you name address and phone number.
  •  Stay on the phone.
  •  If you can safely, keep watching and write down any further description.

Remember not everyone is out there to get you, the vast majority of us are good people going about our lawful business.

  •  No property is worth being hurt or killed for.
  •  Do as you are told if confronted.
  •  Be vigilant
  •  Call police immediately whenever you see a suspicious person or vehicle.

Personal Safety in the home along with Holiday Security tips

Knowing how a burglar thinks and operates is good background information to help put things in place to prevent you or someone you know becoming a burglary victim. The following information outlines some practical and simple steps to reduce the risk.


Safety within the Home:
  •  Alarm system is one of the most effective burglar prevention tools.
  •  Automatic sensor lighting covering each exterior doorway.
  •  Make sure doors, windows and other entry points have appropriate security locks. Deadlocks are the best.

* Get in the habit of using them.
* Even small windows, that adults can not get through should be secured as often children are used to gain entry into houses.

  •  Make sure you lock the front door if working out the back of the house.
  •  Make sure people can not gain access to bedrooms when you are in another part of house.
  •  Do not let people into your house if you do not know them.
  •  If person asks to use phone either decline or pass phone out to them, do not let them in.
  •  Ensure windows and doors are locked at night time even when you are home.
  •  Keep garden sheds and garages secure, lock away tools and ladders.
  •  Don't leave things lying around the house that could assist people to climb into high windows.
  •  Install peep-hole in front door so you know who is calling.
  •  Identify visitors before opening the door.
  •  Mark valuable property with serial numbers and keep record of them.
  •  Do not hide keys in obvious places, the burglar knows them all.
  •  Ensure trees and shrubs are trimmed to reduce places for the burglar to hide.
  •  If you are female and reside alone leave male shoes at the front door.
  •  Keep your house number clearly visible from the street both day and night to help emergency services' locate your address.
  •  Consider engraving your property, it makes it harder to sell.
  •  Have updated list of serial numbers and photographs of your valuables. Keep several copies.
  •  Hide or secure valuables such as passports, documents.
  •  Warning signs in regards to dogs will help deter burglars.

If you or someone you know has been burgled, it is best to take immediate action to improve the security of your home and reduce the risk of being burgled again. Offenders are known to target an address several weeks later, believing that insurance would have replaced your goods previously stolen.

Don't leave packaging for items at the front gate for collection, this is only telling the burglar what you own.

Neighbours who support each other, talk to each other and take an interest in what's going around them provide great security for the area. Neighbours should report suspicious activity to police and try to give good descriptions of the persons or vehicles. Don't overlook the obvious and do all you can to reduce the risk of being burgled.


Holiday Security Tips:

Most burglaries are opportunist and happen when the owners are away. Over the Christmas period burglars are aware there will be presents in the house to steal. Taking a few simple precautions will help deter burglars.

  •  Keep house secure even if only going out for a short time.
  •  Secure all windows and doors.
  •  Each family member should have keys to the house rather than have them hidden outside.
  •  Record serial numbers of electronic presents, they normally have the serial number written on the box.
  •  Use timers for radio and lights, make it look like you are in.
  •  Cancel papers etc when away.
  •  Have neighbour or friend collect junk mail etc.
  •  Have them enter your house and open curtains during the day.
    Curtains closed during the day indicate you are away.
  •  Have neighbour park their car in your driveway.
  •  Have neighbour hang their washing out on your clothes line.
  •  Get neighbour to put out your rubbish bin, don't put it out days before the collection.
  •  Consider someone to house sit while you are away.
  •  Make sure pets are taken care of.
  •  Have someone mow your lawns if you are away for any length of time.
  •  Don't have an answer machine message indicating you are away for a period of time.

Recording Serial numbers / Identification of Property:
  •  Keep several copies of serial numbers etc in safe place.
  •  Police require identification numbers or markings to assist them in recovery of property.
  •  Photograph items of property that are somewhat unique.
  •  Mark property with an identification number if they do not have a serial number.

Stolen Goods:

Burglars do steal for themselves but often they steal and on sell the goods for a variety of reasons, such as earning money, paying a debt or paying for drugs. They sell the goods through a variety of outlets:

  •  Flea Markets
  •  Classified ads
  •  Through bars or sport clubs
  •  Through friends
  •  On-line.

Receiving or buying stolen goods is illegal and helps keep the burglars in business, so proceed with caution when buying second-hand goods. If you purchase the goods and they turn out to be stolen you will lose them along with the money you purchased them with. If it can be proven through the circumstances that you should have known the goods were most likely stolen then you may be charge with a criminal offence.

Look for the following indicators to determine whether the goods are stolen or not:

  •  Serial numbers have been removed or damaged.
  •  Where are you buying them from, legitimate store or the back of a car.
  •  What's the asking price, is it real cheap.
  •  How quickly does the seller what to close the deal.
  •  Will the seller give you any of his/her details.
  •  Will he only accept cash.

Remember: If it's too good to be true then it is most likely not.


Motor Vehicle Crime

Your motor vehicle is most likely the next most valuable possession after your home and it is possibly the most vulnerable.

Thousands of cars are stolen every year or broken into and property taken. Some of the vehicles are never recovered and those which are recovered have often been damaged and left undriveable.

Motor Vehicle crime is a serious problem and apart from the general inconvenience, the loss can be a traumatic experience for the owner.


Car Thieves in Profile:

There are four types of thieves committing motor vehicle crime.

The opportunist car thief. Frequently called a "joyrider", looks for vehicles to use as a means of temporary transport.

The professional car thief. This person intends to keep the car or sell it on, often in an altered state.

The secondary thief. This person does not steal the car for itself but for the specific purpose of committing other crime.

The property thief. This person does not want the car, just the property inside.


Vehicle Safety: Parking your car
  •  Parking in quiet areas provides more opportunities and time for thieves.
  •  Try to use car park buildings that are attended or have security or CCTV.
  •  Choose well-illuminated and busy street if parking at night.
  •  Park in areas with high foot and vehicle traffic.
  •  At home the car should be locked in garage or parked in driveway under a sensor light.
  •  Don't leave valuables in the vehicles overnight even if parked in driveway of home.

Vehicle Safety: Leaving your car unattended
  •  Ensure items that could attract a criminal are not left on display.
  •  Concealing items in the boot or under the seat is not a guarantee, they will look there.
  •  Do not move goods from the car to the boot on arrival at your location, you maybe observed.
  •  Do not leave keys in the ignition or conceal a spare in or on the car.
  •  Remove keys even when refuelling at Service Station, thieves often target these areas.
  •  Do not leave house keys in the car.
  •  Ensure all doors are locked and windows closed, including sunroof if fitted.
  •  Never leave important documents in the cars.
  •  Never leave valuables in the car.
  •  Avoid leaving documents in the car with your name or address on it.
  •  Before leaving your car, check for any suspicious persons in the area.

Remember if it doesn't have to be in the car then don't leave it in the car.


Vehicle Safety: Deterrents in reducing risk
  •  Have all the windows etched with reg number or chassis number.
  •  Have vehicle fitted with an anti-theft device.
  •  Have vehicle fitted with an alarm.
  •  Mark the stereo system in your vehicle with the some sort of identifying number.
  •  Warning stickers indicating if stereo has a coded security number.
  •  Use any number of security measures such as micro dotting the engine bay.

Vehicle Safety: Security enhancement

The more time a criminal spends attempting to steal a vehicle increases the likelihood of discovery and apprehension. The following are some of the different types of security features available that can be fitted to your vehicle.

  •  Ignition cut out switch.
  •  Fuel cut out switch.
  •  Battery isolator.
  •  Steering wheel lock.
  •  Hand brake lock.
  •  Transmission lock.
  •  Wheel lock.
  •  Lockable fuel cap and wheel nuts.
  •  Vehicle alarm system.

Purchasing a used motor vehicle

Care should be taken when purchasing a vehicle. If the vehicle you purchase is later discovered to be stolen the vehicle will be seized by police to be returned to the correct owner. So not only will you lose the vehicle but unless the person that sold you the vehicle can be located you will also lose the money you paid.

Following a few simple rules can reduce this risk:

  •  Treat with caution any advertisement specifying a time to telephone. It's possible such a number maybe a phone box.
  •  Go to where the vehicle is on sale rather than have the person bring the vehicle to you.
  •  Look out for signs of casual car dealing or rebuilding, such as vehicle parts lying around.
  •  Establish whether seller lives at the address the vehicle is at.
  •  Check engine and chassis number for any interference.
  •  Check number against registration papers.
  •  If the seller does not have registration papers ask why.
  •  Ask for photo identification from seller.
  •  If registration papers aren't available, for a small fee the Post Office can supply the information.
  •  Confirm the sellers title or ownership of the vehicle.
  •  Complete Auto Check on 0800 909 777 for any outstanding financial interest.
  •  If in doubt ring police to check the registration number.
  •  Be wary of cash only sales.
  •  Private sale does not give you the same protection as through a Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer.

Remember if your car is stolen then report to police immediately.

Safe Plates
Free tamper resistant screws.

 

2009