Hello Everyone, 

Darker nights are drawing in, and the clocks change this Sunday - 25th Oct

Now is a good time to review home security, this post covers – 

Gardens and Garages

Cut back shrubs and trees so they do not block lights, cameras or lines of sight. Make sure a person could not hide behind them while trying to force a door or window open. 

Check outside lights and camera are working, clean, angled correctly and placed above the height of the ground floor windows, if possible, out of easy of reach. 

If you have garden / driveway gates use them and don’t worry if they squeak a bit! 

Any side gates should ideally be in line with the front of the building, to avoid recesses, be about 1.8 meters high and have a lockable gate. Prikka or Defenda strip could be fitted to the top to deter climbing. 

Wall and fences at the rear can be protected by spikey or densely growing plants / Prikka strip / increased in height by trellis.

Do not leave tools in the garden and be aware of possible climbing aids – can things be packed away for the winter? 

Shed hinges / padlock and hasps can be protected by fitting coach bolts

Mortice locks should be British Standard BS 3621 and any Euro profile cylinder locks security rated TS007

Vehicle garage doors can be protected by garage defenders 

Fit key operated window locks and cover or board them over

Fit a shed alarm – a simple be effective battery powered audible alarm 

If you have a house alarm, consider expanding it into the garage – with contact & PIR sensors 

Internally consider securing bikes, tools etc to ground anchors / within secure lock boxes / using anti-grinder bike locks

The attached leaflet will provide further information or please contact your local crime prevention team via – Edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk

Or visit - Advice - Police Scotland / www.scotland.police.uk/advice

If you are considering purchasing security products Police Scotland would recommend those certified by 

Sold Secure – www.soldsecure.com or Secured By Design – www.securedbydesign.com

If you require assistance from a trade’s person, such as electrician or lock smith you may like to consider the Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme – 

Edinburgh Trusted Trader | Edinburgh Trading Standards / www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises, please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved. 

Call 999 in an emergency 

Call 101 in an non-emergency or use the Contact Us form at www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us 

Thank you 

PC Campbell