Police offer security tips after burglaries in Heanor and Loscoe

Between Thursday, November 13 and Saturday, November 15, police have had reports of five homes which have been broken into.

Three burglaries took place on John Street in Heanor between Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, which saw items including a wallet, cash, bank cards and identity cards being stolen.

Overnight on Saturday, November 15, offenders broke into a property on Milward Road, Loscoe and stole items including an iPhone 4, alcohol and a bronze coloured tin containing foreign coins, from within.

A Packard Bell laptop, a Samsung mobile phone and cash were stolen from a property on Douglas Avenue in Heanor. The offence took place overnight between Monday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 11.

The Heanor and Loscoe Safer Neighbourhood Team will be carrying out increased patrols in the area and are asking residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to them.

Officers are encouraging residents to consider their home security, especially in the run up to Christmas, to better protect their property from being targeted by thieves. Crime prevention advice includes:

Ensure your property is fitted with locking windows and substantial locks on doors as this will deter criminals;

Keep doors and windows locked even if you are home – it only takes seconds for an opportunist burglar to get into your property;

Leave a light on if you are heading out and buy timer switches to turn lights on at a specific point;

Fit a burglar alarm and if you already have one, use it at all opportunities;

Keep valuables out of sight and consider placing high-value Christmas presents in a secure place instead of under the tree;

Mark your property with kit such as SmartWater and get bikes security marked, too;

Register valuables for free on the secure website immobilise.com, which helps police reunite recovered stolen items with their owners;

Be vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately to the police on 999 if a crime is in progress, 101 in a non-emergency or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If you have any information about the incidents or would like any further advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood team on 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.