Dark evenings, more burglaries
An Garda Siochana are urging homeowners to take precautions to make their homes seem a less attractive target for burglars.
Lock Up Light Up is the campaign slogan, reminding people to secure access to their homes, and if going out to make them seem occupied.
Timer switches can turn lights on and off, all doors and windows should be locked as a routine, and keys should be stored away from windows and letterboxes.
If the house has an alarm it should be used every time the occupiers leave the premises, no matter how short a time they plan to be away.
In particular, don't leave car or house keys on a table in the hall, from where they can be 'fished' through the letterbox.
Don't leave valuables such as computers, cameras, or mobile phones in places where they can be spotted through a window when the house is unoccupied.
Even when home, make sure all windows and doors are locked - there are many instances of burglars raiding the back rooms while occupiers are engrossed in watching TV. Nearly half of all burglaries happen between 5pm-11pm.
Don't leave tools in the open in the yard, which could be used to break in through a window or door.
Make sure you have a secure front door, a third of all entries are made through the front door, most times pushed in by the criminals' own body weight. Back doors and back windows are the next most common points of entry.
Be alert for unusual activity by unfamiliar people or vehicles in your area, and if there's a Text Alert system in your estate or townland, join it.
Gardai will be doing their own work across the country to deter criminals who travel to carry out their activity. This includes checkpoints, increased patrolling in burglary hot-spots, and the provision of useful crime prevention advice.
Don't leave anything on view in your car that might attract a smash and grab, even if the vehicle is parked in your driveway.
More advice is available from garda.ie, and it's a good idea to have the number of your local garda station on 'favourites' in your phone.
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