Police Scotland posted to Facebook this week ahead of Sunday (October 25)
Police Scotland issued advice this week(Image: Getty)
Police Scotland has issued an alert this week ahead of October 25. It says that “darker nights are drawing in” and, with this in mind, people need to prepare now to prevent break-ins.
In its “housebreaking prevention advice”, the Edinburgh division wrote on its Facebook: “With the clocks going back this Sunday, October 25, now is the time to check your home security, including gardens, sheds and garages.”
It asks people – whether you live in a flat, bungalow, home or townhouse – to follow a “few simple steps that can help keep your home and belongings safe.”
Some of these steps include trimming back shrubs that block security lights or CCTV, and checking that outdoor lights and cameras are working properly. People should also make sure garden gates, sheds and garages are secure.
Police also advise locking tools away securely and ensuring any bikes and other garden equipment are properly secured with a lock.
Residents should also check that door and window locks meet recognised security standards. It also suggests considering alarms and other additional security measures to help protect your property.
Police Scotland is not the only expert to warn people ahead of October 25. A BBC Morning Live expert has warned that properties could face a greater danger now than at other times of the year.
Former detective and Crimewatch Live presenter, Rav Wilding, warned viewers to listen carefully to help protect themselves, their pets, and their home.
Speaking on the BBC show on October 1, the former Metropolitan police officer said that more burglaries are happening in autumn and winter “largely due to the darkness, especially when the clocks change. We are going to have more hours of darkness than we do light.”
In the UK, the clocks go back one hour on Sunday, October 25 at 2am. This means it’s the end of British Summer Time (BST) and the return of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The ex-detective explained: “The dark is easy for a burglar to hide, not be detected, not to be seen – to go out, do what they want and get out. So that’s largely the reason and it’s only going to get worse.”
Highlighting that we will see the dark from as early as 4pm over the next coming months, Wilding said BBC Morning Live spoke to the Hertfordshire Police Force, who said that they’ve noticed a spike during autumn for burglaries – and this is the same for multiple police forces across the country.
What to do if a break-in happens?
Police Scotland says: “When someone breaks into your house or garden it’s sometimes called breaking and entering, or housebreaking. We will always call it ‘housebreaking’ when you speak to us. Stealing doesn’t always happen in a break-in or housebreaking. It’s still a crime even if nothing is stolen.”
If you think someone has broken into your house or garden, you should not go inside in case the intruder is still there. Police Scotland say that, if you can go to a neighbour or safe place, call 999 if you think the intruder is still there or call 101 or fill in their online form if the intruder has gone.
Victim Support can give support after a break-in, and help deal with the police, insurance, and other processes.
You can get support from other organisations:
