Bracknell

After a spate of burglaries in Crown Wood and The Warren, police in Bracknell have joined up with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to advise residents how to protect their homes from burglars, while ensuring they can escape in the event of a fire.

Acting Chief Inspector Simon Bowden, Bracknell Area Commander, said: “One of the most common points of entry we’re seeing is through the letterbox. With a lot of new UPVC doors you can rack up the handle on the inside so the door can’t be opened from the outside – but it can still be opened from the inside. So burglars put their hands or an implement through the letterbox and pull the handle down. What people should be doing is double-locking the door with a key.”

He added: “Don’t leave purses, wallets, handbags or car keys where burglars can easily see them, such as the hallway, kitchen worktop or on a rack near the front or back door. Keep them out of sight so it’s difficult for burglars to find them quickly.”

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service advises Bracknell home-owners to lock their exterior doors and windows at night, keep the keys where they are easy to get and make sure everyone in the family knows where they are. Shut interior doors at night and keep stairways and passageways clear of obstructions. Planning your escape route is also important and a working smoke detector is a lifesaver.

Bracknell Burglars also gain access through open windows. Open only upstairs windows that cannot be accessed by burglars – for example via a garage roof.

Visit www.rbfrs.co.uk/fs_localfiresafety.asp or call 0118 932 2152 for further home fire safety advice. For more advice on home security, contact Bracknell police area’s crime reduction advisers Everett Bentley on 01344 823483 and John Oblein on 01344 823482, or visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell