Reduce the Chance of Christmas Crime
Don't let your carefully chosen Christmas presents be an easy target for thieves!
And use your usual caution when requests for charity are made. Christmas is a time when the unscrupulous take advantage of your generous spirit and collect for their own unworthy causes.
Out shopping
When the shops are crowded, pickpockets have plenty of chance to steal from you.
- If you can't arrange to shop during less busy times, make sure you stay alert and be extra careful with your wallet or purse.
- Keep money, phone and cards close to your body and keep your bag firmly shut.
- If you have too many bags you will be too busy trying to hold on to them to be aware of anyone stealing from you. Take a good solid bag or trolley with you, ideally with a zip.
- Make smaller shopping trips rather than trying to do it all at once and having too much to carry.
- If you travel by car, make sure you park in a well-lit area. Lock all the doors and windows and do not leave presents in view.
- Try not to return to your car to leave purchases in the boot before continuing with your shopping as thieves may well watch car parks for just such a chance.
- Arrange to collect heavy items from stores when you have finished all your shopping, or use a home-delivery service.
At Home
Having bought all those wonderful presents, don't make it easy for someone to steal from your home.
- Keep them out of sight until last thing on Christmas Eve and if you 'hide' or store larger items such as bicycles in the shed or outbuildings, make sure they are very secure.
- You may well find you need to check your insurance to make sure you are covered for the extra value of goods in your home.
- Take the frame numbers of new cycles and the serial numbers of new electrical equipment as soon as you have them home.
Remember, empty boxes left outside advertise that you have new goods inside - dispose of packing carefully. Sometimes it's good to keep boxes in case a gift needs to be returned or sold later. And boxes are great for games!