Property crime

Lock it or lose it

Thefts from cars and homes are rife in the winter months. To keep your possessions safe, follow the Lock it or Lose it advice from Sussex Police.

When you are not in your car:

When you are not at home:

Close all windows, especially those on the ground floor, when you go out
Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home
Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and secure
Secure garden tools and ladders in a locked shed or garage to prevent them being used to break into your home

Taking just a few precautionary steps can make a big difference to keeping your home and possessions safe over the summer months:

Lock your front door and close large windows every time you leave the house. Even when you're just out in the garden
Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox. Remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox
Install good outside lighting
Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition
Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immovable object inside a locked shed or garage
Keep ladders and tools stored away. Don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.
Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property
Mark your possessions with your postcode and house number using an ultra-violet pen and register using Immobilise free of charge
Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows and store any high value items such as jewellery and passports in a secured safe
Ensure you always lock your car doors, close windows and leave valuables out of sight in the boot - even if the car is on your driveway