Christmas time is just around the corner and at this time of the year you should be mindful of certain types of crime and crime prevention advice.
At home:
- Keep gifts out of sight - try and avoid displaying wrapped presents where they are in plain view. These may be seen by potential burglars, and your home will be targeted.
- Use timers for lights - if you’re away, have indoor and outdoor lights on a schedule to make it look like someone’s home.
- Lock everything - double-check doors, garages, and side gates, especially after bringing in shopping.
- Don’t overshare travel plans online - posting “We’re off to Grandma’s for a week!” is an open invitation to opportunists.
While Shopping:
- Stay aware of your surroundings - pickpockets thrive in crowds, so keep wallets/purses in front pockets and bags zipped.
- Don’t overload yourself - if your hands are full of shopping bags, you’re easier to target.
- Park in well-lit areas - this makes you safer when returning to your car.
- Secure purchases in the boot - don’t leave shopping bags visible in the car.
Deliveries & Online Orders
- Use secure delivery options - pick-up lockers or requiring signatures reduces porch theft.
- Be wary of phishing emails - fake “delivery problem” messages spike in December. Always verify with the courier directly.
Drink /drug driving:
The festive period sees an increase in the town’s night-time economy, mainly due to people enjoying their work do’s. With this season increase in Christmas parties, we see sees a direct increase in drink/drug driving cases. It goes without saying that Kent Police take a zero-tolerance attitude to these offences, as do the courts who upon conviction, issue automatic driving bans to those charged. This clearly would affect most people who may lose employment without use of a car. However, the more important thing to think about are those who may come to harm as a result of drink driving.
- An average of 666 people are killed in drink driving related accidents in Great Britain each year.
- An average of 3,551 people are seriously injured in drink driving related accidents in Great Britain each year.
As always, we would like to hear from you about any issues you are having, vulnerable persons living your area and any reports of outstanding community work that have been done. We truly believe working in partnership with the local community to achieve the same common goal of:
Creating a safe, clean and caring community that we can be proud of and for others to aspire to.
Please contact Kent Police on
999 in an emergency or via
101 or use the Kent Police website for non-urgent reporting.
Written by:
PC Jason Hills 13501
PC for Central Harbour Ward