2011 April | Crime Prevention Blog

April 29, 2011

Secure Mobile Holidays

Filed under: Travel Security — admin @ 12:33 pm

caravan security In today’s uncertain economical climate and job insecurity, many households across Britain may be persuaded to ditch their annual foreign holiday and instead look to explore the delights of their own countryside. There are two ways of doing this, one is by camping where people simply pack up the car with the necessary equipment and head out to explore the ‘untamed wild’, the other is by caravan which is more sophisticated and a lot more comfier, in-fact caravanning holidays in Britain have seen a steady rise over the past couple of years as more and more people try this popular type of getaway. (source 1)

However, caravanning and camping are by no means new types of holiday in this country. The National Caravan Council stated in 2002 -2003 that there were almost 500,000 caravans in Britain and that almost £2billion was spent by people taking caravan and camping holidays making it one of the most popular holidays for British people (source 2). In today’s uncertain climate this figure is sure to increase due to the number of people that will be spending their annual holidays in this county instead of foreign shores.

Whether you’re heading out with your tent or hitching up your caravan there are several personal security precautions that have to be followed. Like all holidays there is always the criminal element that will see you as easy prey and try to walk off with your personal belongings. Here at Crime Prevention Products we have a security section that is dedicated to travel and backpacking safety as well as caravan and car security.

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April 27, 2011

Royal Wedding Party Fears

Filed under: Crime News — admin @ 11:43 am

royal wedding street party On the 29th of April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be married at Westminster Abbey thus encouraging many people, not only those in Britain, but around The World to join in with the Royal Wedding celebrations. This day has been recommended as a Public Holiday, therefore many industries, businesses and shops will be closed, so that the majority of us can help the Royal Couple celebrate their union.

However, as recent demonstrations in the ‘heart of London’ have shown, this will not be seen as a day of celebration for some. Potential anarchists have stated that they will be targetting this day to voice their anger over rising ‘tuition fees’ and governmental ‘spending cuts’ causing a major headache to the policing authorities that are planning the Royal Wedding security.

Security fears just don’t happen in major cities at major events they can happen in any street, in any town or village and with ‘wedding’ fever hitting our country this weekend, everyone has to think about their own home and personal security. We love a good party in Britain and some towns and villages will be hosting their very own ‘Royal Wedding’ celebrations where everyone will be welcome to come along and enjoy the fun.

Unfortunately, as people are celebrating, uninvited guests such as burglars will be busy helping themselves to other peoples goods. Street parties can be exploited by opportunistic thieves by operating pickpocketing gangs at organised events to ransacking homes, businesses and shops. Home insurance companies warn that Public Holidays usually bring an increase in burglary claims (source).

When it comes to protecting your home or business, Crime Prevention Products, have a vast array of security products, such as Wireless Burglar Alarms, that will ensure that while you’re out partying your home, business or shop will be safe.

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April 21, 2011

Safety Tips for Gap Year Students

Filed under: Personal Safety,Travel Security — admin @ 10:18 am

gap year safety tips With Summer nearly upon us, many of our young students will be considering what they’re going to be doing with themselves during their annual holiday. Some might find part-time work, others will barely venture out from under their duvet except for neccessities like food and batteries for their console controller but the more adventurous ones will be getting ready to set off on an age-old, student tradition – ‘ The Gap Year‘.

Gap Year’s are prolonged breaks that students take time out from their studies or before they start college or university. Normally the requirements for a gapyear is a backpack full of vitals and plane tickets to head off to some exotic sun-kissed shore or trekking through villages that lay high in the foothills of various mountain ranges.

Even though thousands of students head off AND return safely without any serious incidents hindering their travels, it is always advisable to be prepared for any security threats that might happen while they are on their travels.

Whilst heading off on their travels there are various personal security devices for travelers and backpackers which are available at Crime Prevention Products for the seasoned and not so seasoned traveller. However, there are also safety tips which everyone should adopt as they trek through a foreign country.

Here are just a few safety tips for gap year students:

Always try and travel / walk with a companion, never walk in the dark in places that you are unsure about.
Refrain from wearing named brand clothing and expensive jewellery.
Be careful whilst using bank machines (ATM’s) and never ‘flash the cash’.
Keep your passport, cash and travel documents in a locked safe or somewhere only you will find them.
Research the country/countries that you’re about to visit. Find out if there are any news on major or dangerous conflicts, uprisings or even civil unrest.

This year if you and your friends are considering visiting a distant country, try and remember that each country has it’s own set of laws, health risks and customs. Being prepared on keeping safe during a gap year and planning ahead will ensure students enjoy this full and rewarding experience.

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April 19, 2011

Safety and Security Tips For Your Bicycle

Filed under: Bike Security — admin @ 11:31 am

bike security tips With Summer fast approaching, now is the perfect time for folks to ditch their cars and start using their bikes more. Exercising on the bike is a great way to lose weight for the upcoming annual holiday. You might even decide that with the rising cost of fuel, car insurance rising and motoring just becoming too expensive, taking the bike to work is a lot easier on your pocket. Whatever the reason, there are now more of us using bikes as a main source of transport on the roads.

There is no doubt that cycling is the better option, not only for the rider but the planet as well, Cyclists are often seen as the clean, green, commuters-with-a-conscience type. However, it’s not all good news! There is a criminal element out there that love nothing better than making free money and bicycles are often seen as the easy option. Did you know, according to the Home Office, bicycles are described as a ‘hot product‘, meaning they are at the top of the list of desired items to steal by thieves.

So many of us simply abandon their beloved ‘two-wheeled mode of transport’ outside shops, in the front garden or left leaning against a lamp post while they quickly pop into the shops. It’s worth remembering that it only takes an opportunistic thief barely a few seconds to disappear with a bike.

Bike purchases can sometimes be an expensive acquisition which is why we’re offering advice on a few bicycle security tips to help keep your bike safe from simply riding off.

Never leave your bike unsecured and unattended, even if you’re in a shop and can see it from the window, it only takes seconds for someone to snatch it.
Take a note of the security number, this will be helpful if it is recovered by the Police.
Purchase a good quality bike security alarm, this will often deter even the most boldest of opportunistic thieves.
If you keep you’re bicycle locked in a shed or garage overnight think about securing your bike with a chain or lock to an internal wall or difficult to move object

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April 14, 2011

Young Women Face The Greatest Threat Of Domestic Violence

Filed under: Crime Awareness,Personal Alarms,Personal Safety — admin @ 10:57 am

domestic violence awareness A recent report released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that that nearly one million women are abused every year in the UK. It then went on to reveal that two women are killed every week by either partners or ex-partners and more than half of all victims of serious sexual assaults have been attacked by partners or ex-partners (source).

However, perhaps the most shocking revelations in the report point to the research which highlights that over 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence. Research also shows that women aged between 16 and 19 are at the highest risk of sexual assault (7.9 per cent), stalking (8.5 per cent) and domestic abuse (12.7 per cent). Allaying fears of a whole new generation of domestic violence.

Over the last 10 years, the CPS has been tackling domestic violence, however it was still not seen as a criminal act until 2004. During 2004/05 the CPS prosecuted 35,000 defendants for domestic violence. In 2009/10 there were just over 74,000 prosecutions for domestic violence.

The stark reality is that young people are more likely to experience domestic violence and young woman, in particular, are still more at risk of crime in the home than anywhere else.

These facts and figures are indeed disturbing and highlighted the need for more awareness and action. Keir Starmer QC, speaking on domestic violence at the Crown Prosecution Service headquarters in central London, said, “These statistics are shocking and demonstrate that women are still more at risk of crime at home than anywhere else… We have seen the conviction rate for domestic violence offences rise from 49 per cent in 2002 to 72 per cent today, but domestic violence is still endemic in our society and we must take further steps to stop it.”

A personal alarm can be a life saving addition for anyone living with the threat of domestic violence. By allowing the victim time to gain some valuable seconds to get away from their attacker. Crime Prevention Products have a wide selection of personal alarms, foam alarms and gas alarms available.

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April 13, 2011

Driveway Alarms – The Perfect Home Accessory

Filed under: Home Security — admin @ 8:28 am

It’s estimated that over one million burglaries and attempted burglaries take place every year in Britain. That equates to a burglary, nearly every 37 seconds. Having someone invade your personal space, often leaving your home in turmoil, as they ransack your house, looking for something of worth is never a pleasant experience. This is one of the reasons we believe that every home in Britain has to have some kind of home security system – it’s worth remembering that the ‘good old days‘ are long gone and you’re just asking for trouble if you vacate premises while the doors and windows are unlocked.

At Crime Prevention Products we understand that home security comes in many forms from simple but effective door security and locks to the top of the range alarm systems which will alert, not only you, but the local authorities that someone is trying to gain access to your home. However, when it comes to protecting your family, early detection has to be the priority, that’s why Driveway Alarms have to be the perfect home accessory.

Driveway Alarms are designed to alert you that someone is approaching. They’re perfect deterrents not only for homes with driveways but business properties, secluded farm sheds and estate buildings. Allowing you time to assess the situation and take the appropriate action. Here a few of the Driveway Alarms that are available to purchase from Crime Prevention Products…

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April 7, 2011

The Dangers of Garden Parties

Filed under: Home Security — admin @ 1:09 pm

hot weather burglar After looking at the weather report, it looks like this weekend (well for some) is going to resemble something akin to Summer, in-fact its stated that some places will experience ‘Mediterranean temperatures‘ – well, that can only mean one thing – barbecues and cold drinks in the garden. Us British love a good party and after the long miserable, depressing winter we could all do with a bit of cheering up. Hence, when we hear news that this weekends weather is looking better than normal – plenty of families will be planing on making the most of this ‘unexpected’ Summer weather.

Organising garden parties can be a lot of fun and us Brits are masters of the ‘last minute party‘. As the sun shines we can organise barbecues in a matter of minutes, inviting family and friends into your home and garden for an afternoon/evening of drinks and entertainment. However, there can be a darker side to hosting garden parties, as you and your guests are busy enjoying yourselves in the garden, your home and possessions may be vulnerable to a sneak thief.

At Crime Prevention Products we understand that when people are busy entertaining the last thing on their mind is their home security, after all, it’s family and friends that are in their garden – who would think about trying to rob your home with all that racket going on out back?

Fact is, sneak thieves love this time of year, as there are often windows left opened to let cool air in, front doors unlocked as well as kids pushchairs, bikes and toys all left unattended at the front of the house. This year, don’t present opportunistic burglars with easy access to your home instead think about your home security and simple prevention techniques – it may stop someone from simply walking off with your possessions.

Below are a few security products that will help protect your home…

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April 5, 2011

Keeping School Time Safe

Filed under: Crime News — admin @ 2:36 pm

school metal detectors It has to be every parents nightmare – to hear that something terrible has happened at their child’s school. The anguish as they try to find out any news, the worry that their child might be hurt and the anger that something terrible has happened in a supposedly safe environment. After all, parents send their children to school to be taught not to be injured.

However, just last week a 14 year old was standing outside her school in Stourbridge, West Midlands when an 18 year old walked up to her and repeatedly stabbed her causing several wounds to her upper body and face. A police spokesperson said that Chloe West had to be airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she underwent surgery (source), Thankfully, Chloe is said to be making a full recovery.

Parents and teachers understand that school can often be a tough time for students and some will be subjected to bullying, peer pressure and even violence from knife or gun crimes. Nobody wishes to hear news reports that pupils have been attacked in their own school as this can often be very distressing to all involved. A fact of life is that crime and violence does happen in schools and it may disturb you to know that there were over 80,000 suspensions for school violence (attacking Teachers & Pupils) in 2010.

Here at Crime Prevention Products we can supply an number of security hardware such as CCTV camera systems, Drive Way alarms as well as Hand Held Metal Detectors which are designed to detect handguns from 28cms – penknife from 15cms and even a Razor Blade from 9cms making sure that your premises are secure as you wish.

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April 1, 2011

Cyberstalking Prevention

Filed under: Crime Awareness — admin @ 9:57 am

Cyberstalking Prevention When it come to protecting our possessions and loved ones we, at Crime Prevention Products, advise on installing proper home security products that are perfect deterrents to any would be sneak-thief such as Burglar Alarms that can be installed in our premisses which are designed to alert and inform the authorities that we are in need of assistance. CCTV systems which can record 24 hours a day making sure that if anyone does attempt to gain access you have a video/picture of the event. Then there are various personal alarms to protect us when we are mobile which offer those vital seconds to make an escape.

However, there is one kind of crime that there is no hardware you can purchase to help you with, only advise and instruction on how to deal with ‘Cyberstalking‘. This is a technologically-based attack on a single person by someone or a group of people, the main reasons may be to embarrass or humiliate, however it can be more sinister such as to gain entry to bank accounts and other personal details. According to a recent report (source) 1.4 million people were stalked or harassed in Scotland, England and Wales in 2009-10. Cyberstalking has increased due to the introduction of mobile phone technology and highly addictive social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo.

Tips for preventing cyberstalking can include:

Don’t share your personal information in any public domains online including forums and chat rooms.
If on social networking sites please check all your security settings, for Facebook – Turn on the encryption option by clicking “Account” in the upper right corner of Facebook, then click “Account Settings,” and then click “Account Security.” Click the first option: “Secure Browsing” (https). Then click the Save button.
Don’t go on any website that you are unsure of, check which websites your children visit, set parental controls so children cannot visit inappropriate web pages.

Cyberstalking is a very distressing experience to the victim, often leaving them too afraid to leave their own home and in some cases causing them to take their own life.

If you’re worried or feeling intimidated by someones actions online then please inform the Police – they will investigate the matter and decide if action is required. Even if the Police decide not to press charges they can give the offender a formal warning which might be enough to stop the harrassment or use the warning as evidence if the behaviour continues in the future.

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