Keep thieves at bay while away

By Bridget Cook
POLICE have encouraged those heading on holidays this festive season to prepare their homes so they don’t fall victim to crime.
Acting Sergeant Noel Redmond, from Safer Communities, said there were a number of pro-active steps people could take to make their homes safer and reduce the risk of being burgled or having property stolen.
Acting Sgt Redmond said the key to deterring burglars while away was to make homes look like someone was at home.
“We each have a role to play when it comes to making our homes, workplaces and safer, and the simple rule is that if a home looks unattended, it is generally an easier target for a burglar,” he said.
Before heading off on holiday, he said consider leaving a radio on and tune it to a talkback station, use a timer on lamps, cancel any deliveries such as newspapers, or have a trusted person collect it for you and always have a trusted person empty your letterbox and take your bin out and in, even if it was empty.
He also encouraged people to hang some old clothes on the line and leave old shoes outside the front door.