The fact is that crime is on the decline. A 2006 West Midlands Police survey showed that 90% of people feel safe in their neighbourhoods. Birmingham is a safe place to be-but you can be even safer, by following the useful tips provided below.
Your chances of becoming a victim of crime are the lowest
they've been for 25 years.
Look
after 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 using enhanced
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.
When
you're out, look after yourself and property
- 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 try and 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 leave
it, securely locked, in a safe location.
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.
When you are in your car, make
sure you:
- 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.
Follow these tips to keep your
mobile phone safe
- A mobile phone that is clearly marked with a UV marker
pen is less valuable to a potential thief and increases
the chance of them being caught in possession of an item
that the Police can prove is stolen property.
- If everyone marked 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.
Advice for Parents
Parents should ensure that their children travel to and from
school safely by ensuring that children:
- 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.
You can prevent fire by taking
note of the following information
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.
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.
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
- Nuisance caused by animals
- Racial or sexual harassment
- Dumping of rubbish and litter
- Breaches of tenancy conditions
- Statutory nuisance (eg fume emissions)
- Nuisance caused by children or visitors
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