General Crime Prevention Advice

29/10/2026

About 9 Alert 9 General Crime Prevention Advice

Hello Everyone, 

Darker nights are drawing in, and the clocks have now changed 

Now is a good time to review home security, this post covers some general aspects of crime prevention 

 

It may help to think of home security and crime prevention in 3 parts – 

Physical security – lock, bolts and alarms you put on your home / vehicle

Habits and behaviours – do you lock doors, set alarms, where are keys and valuables kept

Community spirit – do you know your neighbours / who should be coming and going 

 

Timer switches are an effective way to make a house appear occupied on dark nights

 

Make sure you have photos of jewellery and watches and that they are suitably insured.

High value items should be stored in a safe not in jewellery boxes / drawers or wardrobes.

 

Safes should be suitable for the items they hold; they should be fixed to the fabric of the building. Carefully consider if items would be better secured off site within a safety deposit box.

 

If you wish to hold items in a safe within your home, consider an intruder alarm, reputable alarm companies that are registered with either

National Security Inspectorate – NSI – Certification for security and fire protection companies

Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board – SSAIB | Certification for Security Service Providers

 

Consider forensic property marking for valuables / tools  SelectaDNA Forensic Coding | SelectaDNA / SmartTrace – DeterTech but also for your bike with the Bike Register The National Cycle Database | BikeRegister

 

More and more we also have to consider online safety and security below are 3 websites that provide a wide range of information – 

Stop! Think Fraud – How to stay safe from scams 

Take Five To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud

Welcome to CyberScotland – Cyber Scotland

 

For further information or please contact your local crime prevention team via – Edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk

Or visit – Advice – Police Scotland / www.scotland.police.uk/advice

 

If you are considering purchasing security products Police Scotland would recommend those certified by 

Sold Secure – www.soldsecure.com or Secured By Design – www.securedbydesign.com

 

If you require assistance from a trade’s person, such as electrician or lock smith you may like to consider the Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme – 

Edinburgh Trusted Trader | Edinburgh Trading Standards / www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh

 

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises, please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved. 

Call 999 in an emergency 

Call 101 in a non-emergency or use the Contact Us form at www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us 

 

Thank you 

PC Campbell

 

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