Detectives urge householders to secure homes as Christmas presents stolen in Hartlepool.

Detectives in Hartlepool are urging residents to take extra care with home security in the run up to the festive season.

This comes as sadly Cleveland Police has received its first report this season of Christmas presents being stolen.

It happened in a  house burglary in Furness Street in the Mill House area of the town, sometime between 11pm on Wednesday night (27^th November) and 1pm the next day (Thursday 28^th November).

Detective Inspector Louise Sproson from Hartlepool CID asked for anyone with information, doorbell, dashcam or private CCTV from the area to get in touch:
“Our investigation is on-going and we would welcome information or footage. Please contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number quoting ref 226334.”

 

If you don’t want to speak to police you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.

 

Here are 12 top tips for helping to protect your home at this time of year:

1. Don’t leave presents on display under the Christmas tree in view of the window. And, if you’re going away, don’t advertise this on social media!
2. Lock all doors and windows – both when you’re home or if you go out. Pay particular attention to the rear of your home.
3. Don’t put keys under the doormat or in a flowerpot, thieves know all of these hiding places
4. Don’t leave windows open a few inches for the cat to get in or out, burglars find this useful too.
5. Keep your shed and garage locked. Your tools are useful to a thief who wants to gain entry. If your garage has a communicating door with the inside of the house, secure it just like another exterior door.
6. Don’t leave ladders lying around. If you must leave them outside, padlock them to something secure.
7. Close the curtains and leave a light on in a room when you are out (but not in the hall, no-one spends the evening in the hall). Buy a timer switch as a stocking filler for a loved one.
8. Lighten dark areas around your home using low energy dusk ‘til dawn lighting. Remember – burglars hate light and are much more likely to target an unlit property.
9. Make sure that your house and contents are adequately insured.
10. Mark your valuables! Use one of the widely available kits or look out for property marking events on your local police page on Facebook, where you can take your items along to be marked.
11. Leave a radio on, playing a talk programme rather than music. You can also consider a ‘simulated TV’ to give the appearance from outside that a TV is on.
12. Keep an eye out for the vulnerable and older people at Christmas.