State crime down but burglaries are up

Figures released this week from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show that while most areas in metropolitan Sydney showed decreases in overall crime, burglaries are still one of the state’s major problems*.

• Outer South Western Sydney Subdivision: 22.7% increase in stealing from a dwelling
• Central Western Sydney Subdivision: 25.4% increase in stealing from a dwelling
• Northern Beaches Statistical Subdivision: 29.7% increase in stealing from the person

Sydney 21 April 2010 - In NSW there was 44,239 recorded break and enters, showing little change from last year with Newcastle being the hardest hit area with over four thousand incidents.  The continuing trend towards property crime shows that people need to take care to secure their homes and possessions as police make inroads into violent crime but property crime remains a real and present threat.
Deborah Garnier from Chubb Fire & Security says the new data shows that people have good reason to worry about the security of their homes, but taking a few simple steps can help prevent the worst from happening. 

“A few moments taken doing simple things such as locking doors and windows, making sure locks are well fitted, and ensuring alarms are installed properly and maintained regularly, greatly reduce the risk of costly property crime.  We don’t believe people should live in fear of crime, just be well prepared for any home emergency, including other issues such as fire safety and first aid.”

Chubb Fire & Security has a range of domestic products that can increase security, including monitored alarms. We suggest you combine it with Chubb’s home safety tips set out below for a well prepared home.

Chubb Top 10 Security Tips

1. Always secure and lock your doors and windows, even if you are just popping out or when you are in the back garden - about one in four burglaries happen simply because the householder left windows or doors unlocked.

2. Don't store keys near the door particularly where they can be seen and never hang a spare key inside the letter box or hidden in a convenient hiding place – use a key safe if you need to leave a key outside.

3. Secure garages and sheds - they are often full of expensive tools that are not only costly to lose but ideal to use for breaking into the rest of the house.

4. Make sure your alarm is monitored through a security monitoring centre. When an alarm sounds you want immediate action.

5. Don't put your empty boxes from large purchases (or any new purchases) out until your recycling collection day and make sure you break up the boxes - the boxes and wrappings provide burglars with just the information they are looking for to see what new gadgets and items await them inside.

6. Code your goods with an engraver, or a permanent or ultra-violet marker pen depending on the type of object being marked - this will make it harder for a thief to sell the items and easier for the police to identify the true owner if they are recovered.

7. Note down the serial numbers of all electrical goods such as TVs, videos, computers and camera equipment and keep the list out of sight in a secure place. It is also a good idea to photograph valuable items such as jewellery and pictures as this will help with identification if the items are recovered.

8. Install a simple timer on lights to make it look like someone is home;

9. Cancel your newspapers if you are away and arrange for someone to empty your letterbox regularly; and tell your trusted neighbours if you’re going away. Agree to look out for your neighbours’ property if you are staying, whilst they are away.

10. Clear shrubbery from windows and doors that might hide someone who is trying to break in.

ENDS

For more information contact:
Daniel Marks
Chubb Australasia (A UTC Fire & Security Company)
Tel: (02) 9930-4433 Mobile: 0401-779-055
daniel.marks@chubb.com.au

Chubb Australasia is part of UTC Fire & Security, which provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers around the world.  Headquartered in Connecticut, UTC Fire & Security is a business unit of United Technologies Corp., which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide.  More information about Chubb and UTC Fire & Security can be found on their Web sites at www.utcfireandsecurity.com and www.chubb.com.au