Dont be Dim - Dont let the Burglars in

Havering Council is urging residents to take extra home security measures as winter approaches. With the clocks having gone back and the nights becoming darker sooner, homes are more vulnerable to break-ins.

As part of the Council’s Better Together campaign to make the borough safer, cleaner, greener and stronger, the Council’s Community Safety officers have organised seven events at which timer switches will be given out free of charge to residents, starting on Saturday 8 November.

Burglary in the borough remains low – in the 12 months up to 1 October 2008, Havering was the seventh safest out of London’s 32 boroughs for house burglary.

However, when break-ins occur at this time of year, they tend to take place in the afternoon or early evening. A home in darkness between 4pm and 9pm is a sign to crooks that no-one is home. Taking a simple precaution like having a light on in the late afternoon and evening can deter thieves.

The timer switches will be given out on a first come first served basis at the following locations:

Saturday 8 November - Tesco , Gallows Corner 11am -1pm

Monday 10 November - Tesco, Collier Row 11am -1pm

Wednesday 12 November - Farnham Road Shops, Harold Hill, 11am -1pm

Thursday 13 November - Aldi Car Park, Upminster 11am-1pm, Brannigans, Romford, 5pm -7pm

Friday 14 November - Tesco, Cranham 11am -1pm

Saturday 15 November - Tesco, Rainham 11am -1pm

Another 500 switches will also be given away, at the Havering Christmas Lights Switch-on in Romford Marketplace starting from 4pm on Thursday 13 November.

Timer switches should be set to come on before it gets dark. They should ideally be placed in a downstairs living room – a light left on in a hallway or porch won’t fool a burglar. Timer switches can also be bought for around £3 from DIY stores.