General Crime Prevention Advice

General Crime Prevention Advice

Hello Everyone, 

Darker nights are drawing in, and the clocks have now changed 

Now is a good time to review home security, this post covers some general aspects of crime prevention 

It may help to think of home security and crime prevention in 3 parts – 

Physical security – lock, bolts and alarms you put on your home / vehicle

Habits and behaviours – do you lock doors, set alarms, where are keys and valuables kept

Community spirit – do you know your neighbours / who should be coming and going 

Timer switches are an effective way to make a house appear occupied on dark nights

Make sure you have photos of jewellery and watches and that they are suitably insured.

High value items should be stored in a safe not in jewellery boxes / drawers or wardrobes.

Safes should be suitable for the items they hold; they should be fixed to the fabric of the building. Carefully consider if items would be better secured off site within a safety deposit box.

If you wish to hold items in a safe within your home, consider an intruder alarm, reputable alarm companies that are registered with either

National Security Inspectorate - NSI - Certification for security and fire protection companies

Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board - SSAIB | Certification for Security Service Providers

Consider forensic property marking for valuables / tools  SelectaDNA Forensic Coding | SelectaDNA / SmartTrace - DeterTech but also for your bike with the Bike Register The National Cycle Database | BikeRegister

More and more we also have to consider online safety and security below are 3 websites that provide a wide range of information - 

Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams 

Take Five To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud

Welcome to CyberScotland - Cyber Scotland

For further information or please contact your local crime prevention team via – Edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk

Or visit - Advice - Police Scotland / www.scotland.police.uk/advice

If you are considering purchasing security products Police Scotland would recommend those certified by 

Sold Secure – www.soldsecure.com or Secured By Design – www.securedbydesign.com

If you require assistance from a trade’s person, such as electrician or lock smith you may like to consider the Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme – 

Edinburgh Trusted Trader | Edinburgh Trading Standards / www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises, please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved. 

Call 999 in an emergency 

Call 101 in a non-emergency or use the Contact Us form at www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us 

Thank you 

PC Campbell