Mark Ranola

The last two articles I wrote were about house burglaries and security, where I mentioned how you can protect your property and I referred to jewellery.
With the main Nepali festival period fast approaching I thought it was best to continue with this theme, but to draw attention to leaving your home during festivals and walking about in public.
Criminals are well organised, especially these day`s and they will be aware of times throughout the year when people will be out to attend a festival or travelling away for longer periods to see family.
They will also be aware that people will be walking about in the community and have with them their best jewellery.
I have covered some of the practical steps to take in home security, but with the evenings becoming darker now, when you do leave your home, put lamps on timer switches and leave a car on the driveway to make it appear that someone is at home.
Timer switches are a cheap and effective way of deterring crime and they can be purchased from most DIY stores; however, most police stations will have these and will be happy to supply one for you.
When you are out, the best way to deter a crime is not to have your jewellery on display where possible. Keep it concealed under a scarf or other clothing.
In the unlikely event of being attacked, have a hand-held security alarm in your hand or accessible, such as in our handbag.
These again can be purchased from DIY stores or other security outlets, but the police have a supply of these and will only be too pleased to provide one for you free of charge, like the timer switches.

For those who have read my articles over the years, you will be familiar that I normally suggest simple, low cost security measures, which are in most cases effective.
However, security is a personal thing and it will depend on budget and also what makes you feel safe, so people will respond differently.
Referring to last week`s article, please do take the time to get any valuable items valued for insurance.
Make sure that you have pictures of your jewellery which should be taken with a ruler or tape measure alongside, so that any stolen items have a better chance of being recovered.
I will end on a positive note, because although I feel it is right to write about certain crimes, I am aware that in doing so, it can make people anxious and become more worried than they need to.
The boroughs of Rushmoor and Hart are some of the safest areas to live in the UK, so residents can enjoy a good quality of life without the threat of crime, however, although crime statistics will back this up, if you are a victim of crime, then statistics will do little to reassure you, neither will they help to recover expensive and sentimental stolen items, so by taking some simple prevention measures, this will assist.
101 (mark.ranola@hampshire.pnn.police.uk)