Beware! Fair weather Burglars!

PEOPLE LIVING IN THE EAST RIDING are being urged to take another look at their home security after a spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries across the area including many with insecure doors and windows because of the recent good weather.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Orsborne from the Humberside Police Serious and Acquisitive Crime Team said:

“Opportunist burglars are clearly making the most of the invitations they are being offered by householders across the East Riding who continue to leave their homes insecure. Whilst I understand the need to keep cool when the weather is warm it is imperative that windows and doors are always kept secure to protect homes from burglars who will act within seconds and cause upset and misery to their victims. People need to take the simple steps now before they too become victims of burglary.”

Investigations are underway into burglaries and attempted burglaries and officers are keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information about incidents or may have seen something or someone suspicious in the vicinity of any offences.

Witnesses should contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Twitter: You can follow Sergeant Gavin Orsborne on Twitter at @DSGavOrsborne.

Read more...

Post about your holiday on Facebook - and get burgled!

The Digital Criminal

FOLLOWING A SPATE OF BUGLARIES AND THEFTS in Hedon recently, residents have been warned by Humberside Police to be vigilant and and ensure their homes, cars, garages and sheds are secure and locked.

The Co-operative Group has also issued its own pertinent advice to customers about not revealing that you are away from home on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. This comes following surveys conducted by the Co-op revealed that 51% of children regularly update their social media accounts to say when they are due to go on family holidays, alerting potential burglars to the fact their home is empty.

It's not just the children either. Older holidaymakers are likely to be particularly vulnerable, due to the growing availability of wifi connections in hotels and resorts. This is allowing people to keep updating their accounts while abroad and inevitably raises the awareness that the user is away from home.

The burglar planning to rob your home can search Facebook for keywords like ‘going on holiday’, ‘packing my case’ and ‘checking in at airport’.

Trevor Davis, Director of Retail Distribution for The Co-operative Travel, explained:

“It took seconds to find people with updates stating when they would be away, with details revealing enough about their location and family to make finding their actual address a simple task."

While it may be difficult to stop young people posting information on social media websites about the big things in their lives like holidays and big-nights out, it is possible to protect their updates on Facebook and other such sites, be aware of who they add as 'Friends' and to explain to them the importance of not revealing too much online.

Update friends with holiday details after, rather than during, your trip.

Read Cyber-kids increase holiday burglary risk warns report on the Co-operative Group website!

Related information: See also Burglars using social networks to target people at the Legal and General website.

Read more...