Homeowners in Wigan have been warned to remain vigilant over the festive season, as it is a popular time of year for burglars to target properties.
Wigan Today reported that police have issued a warning to households about thieves marking up potential targets with chalk marks in the street.
Officers stated that the appearance of such symbols, which have been dubbed the Da Pinchi code, has coincided with a rise in the number of burglaries in various areas, including New Springs, Whelley and Aspull.
Any residents who are concerned or who think they’ve seen suspicious activity are being encouraged to contact the police on the 101 number.
It’s a timely reminder to check your own home security ahead of the festive period, when many homes become targets due to the high-value Christmas presents that are waiting to be opened on Christmas morning.
There are several things you can do to ensure your home stays safe this December.
Check your locks and doors
Always make sure you’ve locked your doors and windows before you leave the house, and consider whether it’s worth shopping for new UPVC doors in Manchester if yours are old and looking a bit tired.
Don’t leave spare keys hidden in your front garden either – if you’re worried about locking yourself out then invest in a key safe. These are secure combination lock boxes that can easily be mounted on a wall somewhere discreet, and mean you can safely leave a spare key for anyone in your family who may need one.
Keep on top of your mail
If you are going away over Christmas, make sure there’s someone to pop in and deal with your mail to make it look as though you’re home. If you’re expecting any deliveries, don’t leave notes to couriers saying you’re out, make arrangements with the company you’ve ordered from about where to leave parcels when you’re not home.
This is where friendly neighbours are great, because they can sign for your parcels and may even be able to pop by your home and tidy the post up while you’re away.
Keep gifts out of sight
While it might be tempting to pile up your wrapped presents under the tree, it’s best to avoid doing so if it can easily be seen from the street. You should avoid putting your Christmas tree and presents near a window, as this could tempt opportunistic thieves.
Even if your tree is away from a window, if anyone can see how much you have in your living room, it could make your property a target. The best advice is to keep gifts out of sight until Christmas day, storing them in cupboards or under beds.
Think about your lights
When you’re out and about you still want to make it look as though there’s someone home, so consider investing in a timer for your lights. With the dark evenings, it’s easy to see when a property is unoccupied, so take appropriate precautions.
If you have any friends who can pop by your home and spend some time there in the evenings, that’s even better, because anyone watching your house will see people inside, and not just lights switching on and off.
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