Advice on improving your home security

• Close and lock all doors and windows. Don’t leave keys in locks and keep keys in a safe, accessible place away from view.
• Keep hedges and wall boundaries at front of house low to prevent hiding points and to increase opportunity for natural surveillance.
• Keep rear and side boundaries high and consider the use of prickly shrubs / plants to restrict access.
• Install “ dusk to dawn” security lighting to increase visibility and deter intruders.
• Use internal timer switches linked to lights so that it appears someone is at home.
• Install a security alarm, fitted by an approved and accredited installer – approved by either NSI or SSAIB (security industry inspectorates).
• Photograph and security mark valuable and sentimental items.
• Keep a record of all valuables.
• Invest in a fireproof safe fixed to a solid surface to store valuables / ID documents.
• Lock garages and sheds. Ensure that any garden tools, ladders are secured away so that they can’t be used to break into your home.
• Ensure your insurance policy is valid and up to date.

More information:
Police Scotland
Secured by Design

Some advice on securing your vehicle

• Fit a car alarm.
• Use locking wheel nuts to prevent the theft of your wheels.
• NEVER leave your car unattended to defrost windows with the keys in the ignition.
• Always remove keys from the ignition and lock your car if you need to walk to the petrol station shop to pay for your fuel. Again, some car thieves actively look out for insecure cars that can easily be taken from the forecourt and any insurance claim could be affected.
• If parking in public or using airport parking, look for a car park with the Park Mark These designated car parks have complied with specific measures to deter crime and promote safety.
• Keep your car off the street if possible. If you’re at home and you have a garage then use it. Make sure you lock both the car and the garage.
• If you don’t have a garage, make use of the driveway if you have one.
• Don’t park in isolated or remote areas. Whenever possible, park in a busy, well-lit and CCTV covered area.
• Try and park close to the exit – this will increase the amount of traffic which will pass your car, making it harder for thieves to operate undetected.
• Lock all items out of sight. Don’t leave anything on display and take valuables with you.
• Leave the glove box empty and open.
• If you have a portable Sat Nav, hide the cradle and take the system with you. Don’t forget to wipe the suction marks off the window.
• If you have personal correspondence in the vehicle, then take it with you. Don’t give others access to important personal information or your home address.
• Use an electronic or mechanical immobiliser such as a steering lock – steering locks are an effective, highly visible deterrent and should be Thatcham compliant.
• Relay Theft or cloning wireless key signals from contactless keys is a growing problem allowing offenders to take a signal from a key close by and enabling them to open a vehicle, start engine and steal it without having any direct access to the key. Consider purchasing a Faraday Wallet to keep key in. These are readily available and block signals from key fob. Research product and look for Secure By Design accreditation.

Advice on how to deal with doorstep crime and bogus callers

Doorstep Crime:

• Be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly.
• Keep front and back doors locked.
• Use the door viewer or nearby window when answering the door.
• Fit a door chain or bar – use it and keep it on when talking to callers at the door.
• If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door.
• Don’t feel embarrassed – genuine callers expect you to be careful.
• Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine.
• Always ask for identification badges of anyone you answer the door to, but don’t rely on them. Identity cards can be faked – phone the company to verify their identity.
• Some companies offer a password system. Ask your utility providers if this can be used and if you have a password with a company make sure the caller uses it.
• Never let people try to persuade you to let them into your home even if they are asking for help – they may not be genuine. If someone is persistent, ask them to call at another time and arrange for a friend or family member to be with you.
• Never agree to pay for goods or give money to strangers who arrive at your door.
• Don’t keep large amounts of money in your home.
• Remember, it’s your home. There’s no reason why anyone should ever enter your home against your wishes.
• If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door.

Bogus Phone Calls:

This is when fraudsters make contact with you by phone. The caller might pretend to be from your bank and ask for personal information such as bank details, pin number or they might be offering you a prize etc.

• Consider making your phone number ex-directory.
• Don’t give out any personal information unless you are the one who made the call and you are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to.
• Don’t give out your credit card or bank card details to strangers on the telephone.
• Never tell anyone your bank PIN number, even if they claim to be from the Bank or Police. If the caller is genuine they will never ask for this information.
• Don’t give out information which may infer that you live alone, are older or vulnerable.
• Never send money to anyone who claims to have a prize for you. If it sounds too good it probably is.
• Contact local trading standards – they may be able to provide advice on approved “call blocking” technology.

Advice on how to improve your cyber security

Cyber Attack

This is when hackers break into a firms computer system and steal personal information that may be sold on to other fraudsters or used to access accounts directly.

Malware

This is when hackers break into a firms computer system and steal personal information that may be sold on to other fraudsters or used to access accounts directly.

• Never open attachments from a sender you do not know.
• Do not store account names or passwords on a computer.
• Install security, anti-virus, firewall software to protect your computer and update regularly. See trusted review sites such as ‘Which?’ regarding what anti-virus software best suits your needs and usage.
• Make regular backups.
• Use an up- to- date web browser.
• When shopping online look for clear signs that you are buying from a reputable company. Look for the padlock symbol and the ‘https’ in the address bar to confirm site is secure.
• Familiarise yourself with the websites your children are using and make sure they understand how to keep safe online. Direct them to thinkuknow.co.uk and www.getsafeonline.org