Operation Cracker
Catterick Neighbourhood Policing team along with the Royal Military Police have been conducting joint patrols over the last few weeks to raise awareness of the importance of keeping your properties safe and secure especially during the dark nights and festive period.
Our officers have attended almost 300 properties and spoke with residents under 'Operation Cracker'.
The operation is an initiative to help protect residents over the winter months. A dark empty house is a target for burglars and with Christmas just around the corner nobody wants to suffer a financial loss.
One in three burglaries happen because homes are left insecure.
Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe and sound.
* Make sure front and rear doors are shut and locked - both when you leave the house and on your return. If you lock the door behind you, it reduces the chance of forgetting it later and leaving it unlocked for thieves.
* Use a timer to switch on lights to make the house appear occupied, even when it isn't - LED energy saving bulbs can help keep the cost down and reduce fire risk as they don't heat up.
