NCJ Number
55725
Date Published
1978
Length
37 pages
Annotation
A HOME WATCH CAMPAIGN INITIATED IN ENGLAND IN 1978 IS DESCRIBED THAT WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF HOUSEBREAKING CRIMES (BURGLARY) IN THE HAMPSHIRE AREA.
Abstract
THE HOME WATCH CAMPAIGN WAS TO RUN FOR 4 WEEKS. TO HELP PUBLICIZE THE CAMPAIGN A DAILY PRESS RELEASE WOULD BE SENT TO ALL NEWSPAPERS, RADIO STATIONS, AND TELEVISION STATIONS COVERING THE AREA; A WIDESPREAD POSTER CAMPAIGN WOULD BE INITIATED, WITH ESTATE AGENTS, BUILDING SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO ASSIST WITH DISPLAYS, AND THE HAMPSHIRE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THERE WERE 6,823 HOUSEBREAKING CRIMES IN 1977 IN THE HAMPSHIRE AREA. ALMOST ALL BURGLARS WERE YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED, AND FRIGHTENED DURING THEIR CRIMINAL ACTS. IN 27 PERCENT OF ALL CASES, BURGLARS ENTERED THROUGH UNLOCKED DOORS OR OPEN WINDOWS. IN 42 PERCENT OF ALL BURGLARIES, THIEVES DID NOT NEED HOUSEBREAKING TOOLS OF ANY KIND. THE FOLLOWING WAYS TO MINIMIZE THE PROBLEM OF HOUSEBREAKING ARE NOTED: (1) FIT STANDARD THIEF-RESISTANT LOCKS TO FRONT AND REAR DOORS AND WINDOW LOCKS TO ALL ACCESSIBLE WINDOWS; (2) DO NOT ADVERTISE ABSENCE BY SUCH MEANS AS LEAVING MAIL IN BOXES, CURTAINS OPEN, AND LIGHTS OUT AFTER DARK; (3) ESTABLISH A CONCEPT OF MUTUAL PROTECTION WITH NEIGHBORS; AND (4) BE SECURITY CONSCIOUS. ELECTRONIC PROTECTION IS NECESSARY WHERE CRIME RISKS ARE ABOVE THE AVERAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE ARE VALUABLE ANTIQUES OR COLLECTIONS IN HOMES. WHEN THE INSTALLATION OF BURGLAR ALARMS IS CONSIDERED, CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE TWO MAIN TYPES OF ALARMS (AUDIBLE AND POLICE-CALLING SYSTEMS). SUPPORTING DATA AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)