Crime Prevention Information
Birmingham is a safe place but this doesn’t mean though that you shouldn’t look after your property or be aware of your own safety. We invite you to look at the crime prevention information and note the tips that we have provided, to prevent you becoming a victim of crime.
Your Home
- Lock your doors and windows, particularly at night during warm weather and at Christmas. External doors should have locking systems, such as multi-point deadlocks that meet British Standards and also have a door chain and viewer fitted.
- Windows should have key operated locks to British Standards.
- Lighting should illuminate all external doors and vulnerable areas, such as a rear garden.
- All gardening and other household tools should be kept in a secured shed or garage overnight.
- Ensure all of your children’s toys especially bicycles are stored away in a garage out of sight, overnight.
- Over the festive season, don’t leave presents on view in your home, leave a light on when you go out and don’t leave Christmas present packaging out on display.
- Beware of bogus callers. Don’t let anyone into your house if you don’t know who they are or where they are from.
Your Children
Parents should ensure that their children travel to and from school safely by ensuring that children:
- travel with friends;
- are alert and aware of everything that is happening around them;
- have planned ‘a safe route’ that they know well; and
- keep their valuables discreet and don’t flash them about to minimise the risk of them being stolen. This includes mobile phones and ipods in particular.
Yourself
- Use a taxi or private hire vehicle. Carry their telephone number with you or book one in advance.
- Listen to your instincts. If you don’t feel safe, move to a busier area.
- Look confident, know your route and avoid badly-lit streets.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back.
- Carry your bag securely. Put the strap across your body and make sure the fasteners are facing you.
- When you use a cash point, try to do so during daylight hours and where possible, use cash points located inside banks.
- If you are using a bicycle, make sure that you park it in a safe location, locked with a secure lock.
When you use public transport, make sure you:
- Know where you are going and which stop you need.
- Check departure times, especially of last buses or trains.
- If possible, wait for a bus or train in a well-lit place near other people.
- On trains, avoid empty compartments and try to sit near other people.
- On buses, try and sit near the driver if the bus is empty.
Your Phone
A mobile phone that is clearly marked with a UV marker pen is less valuable to a potential thief. It increases the chance of them being caught in possession of an item that the Police can prove is stolen property.
If everyone marks their phones as a matter of course, it would greatly assist the Police in reducing this type of crime.
Marking your phone is simple. Clean the surface to be marked and then mark both the phone and battery with your postcode followed by your house number.
Make a note of your phone’s IMEI number. This is the phone’s unique identification number which can’t be tampered with or changed. You can find your number by entering *#06#
In addition, you should always lock the keypad on your phone with a PIN number.
Don’t be flash with your mobile phone. Be discreet and put it away as soon as you have finished using it.
Your Car
- Always lock your car.
- Always take your keys with you.
- Always keep your valuables out of view.
- Don’t leave your shopping visible in the car.
- Park safely. When parking at home, use your garage or park in a well-lit area.
- Use immobilisers and get an alarm fitted.
- Use locking wheel nuts to secure your wheels.
- Never leave Satellite Navigation Systems on display. Remove them from the car and wipe away sucker marks.
Anti-Social Behaviour
If you’re suffering from Anti-Social Behaviour, you should call the Anti-Social Behaviour Helpline on 0121 303 1111. Anyone can be a victim or suffer from its effects, regardless of whether they are tenants or homeowners. A mediation service is available for neighbours who have fallen out with each other and can help find a lasting solution, acceptable to everyone involved.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) covers a wide range of activities – from minor neighbour disputes to serious criminal behaviour. Examples include:
- Excessive noise (especially at night)
- Rowdy, unruly or threatening behaviour
- Criminal activity
- Nuisance caused by animals
- Vandalism
- Racial or sexual harassment
- Dumping of rubbish and litter
- Breaches of tenancy conditions
- Statutory nuisance (eg fume emissions)
- Nuisance caused by children or visitors
Fire
Fire causes death and injury and affects many people in Birmingham every day. Reduce the chances of fire by acting responsibly. Most fires in the home start in the kitchen. You can avoid this by:
Do
- Keep tea towels, oven gloves and loose clothing away from cookers.
- Keep cookers, toasters and grills clean. A build-up of crumbs, fat and grease can easily catch fire.
If you don’t have a smoke alarm, West Midlands Fire Service will fit one in your home - free. Call 0800 389 5525 or book on-line at www.wmfs.net.
Don't
- Don’t fill chip pans more than 1/3 full of oil. Don’t put deep-fried food into hot oil when it’s wet, dry it first.
- If a chip pan catches fire, don’t take risks. Don’t move the pan, turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so. Get everyone out of your home and call 999 for the Fire Service.
- Get out, stay out
- Don’t leave cooking unattended. Fires start when your attention stops.
