Please see below the latest crime prevention advice from you local neighbourhood watch:

 

Through our local community engagement it has been brought to our attention that residents in the North area of Cumbernauld, including the areas of Dullatur and Balloch have recently experienced break-ins to their homes.

Victims report that methods used have been varied and have occurred both during daytime and evenings. From the information provided it would appear that suspicious activity such as unfamiliar vehicles, leaflet drops and individuals walking through estates occurred ahead of these crimes.

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To reduce the risk of your home being targeted we would suggest:

• Maximise the natural surveillance around your home so that criminals know they can be seen

• Use your existing security (such as door locks) at all times. Even when you are in.

• Consider fitting improved security hardware (use only Secured By Design products)

• Fit dusk to dawn lighting around your home

• Forensically mark your property (photograph valuable items to aid identification)

• Fit an approved and monitored alarm system

• Consider the use of fixed safes for valuable items. 

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Whilst these individual steps can reduce the risk they cannot guarantee your house would never be targeted. Without doubt the greatest deterrent is having a collective approach across your community, such as Neighbourhood Watch. Neighbours can look out for each other and collectively can have a greater influence on ensuring local services act to support the community.

We would advise that all suspicious activity is recorded and reported to the police.

 

For further advice contact Neighbourhood Watch Scotland at www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk or visit link https://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/security-advice/house-security

 

PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT!

  

 

Message Sent By
Willie Clark (NHWN, Community Engagement Officer, NW Scotland)

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Further Reminder - Theft Of Vehicles (Relay Theft)

 

The following message has been circulated by Neighbourhood Watch Scotland following reports of a further increase in this type of crime and of related suspicious activity within resident’s driveways.

Offenders have cloned wireless key signals from car keys inside homes, enabling them to open the vehicle on the driveway, start the engine and drive the vehicle away. This means the criminal is able to avoid having to break into homes to steal key fobs.

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Advice:

While keeping your keyless entry fobs out of sight or hidden is recommended, it does not stop it from being cloned. We are asking car owners to consider using a Faraday Wallet / signal blocking case for their keys. These block the signal from the fob, are relatively inexpensive and are widely available.

It is important however to research the product you are buying and once purchased check that they effectively block the signal. Look for Secure By Design accreditation.

You can also keep your spare key in a foil lined, metal tin with a lid. Again, check the effectiveness of this.

Additional physical security devices, such as thatcham approved mechanical steering locks, driveway posts, wheel clamps and trackers are also effective in protecting vehicles from thieves. If you have a vehicle that is not keyless, it would be advisable to park this in front of the keyless vehicle.

Other tips for keyless car owners include:

• Contact your dealer and check if your vehicle has any outstanding software updates, which may improve security

• Check if the keyless fob can be turned off/on. Your vehicle dealer can confirm and advise how to do this

Be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0880 555 111

 

Message Sent By
Willie Clark (NHWN, Community Engagement Officer, NW Scotland)

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