Burglaries boom over the festive season

Burglaries boom over the festive season

Homeowners are being urged to stay on guard against would-be Grinches eyeing up present hauls stored in homes throughout Hampshire this Christmas. According to official UK Crime Statistics for the Hampshire Constabulary, burglaries spiked in the run up to Christmas and into the New Year at 971 burglaries in December 2014 and 986 in January this year.

“Approaching the holiday season our sights are primarily set on the festivities but it’s also a good time to start thinking about locking windows and doors and double-checking the burglar alarm”, explained Mark Pearce, Managing Director of home improvement specialist KJM Group.

He continued: “Statistics provided by UKCrimeStats show that although over all, burglaries have dropped significantly, they continue to ruin Christmas for far too many households.

“In the lead up to Christmas, homes are more likely to be left unattended while parties are in full swing and the mad rush to buy last minute presents is underway. 

“At the same time, they are more likely to contain a higher value of contents in the form of gifts ready to be unwrapped on Christmas Day, including gadgets and jewellery which can be easily pocketed, which is why home security is even more important.”

To help homeowners keep out unwanted visitors this Christmas the Andover-based window and door specialist is offering Hampshire residents free home security checks. According to national crime figures, forced windows and doors feature in more than half of all break-ins, so checking that your doors and windows feature high security multi-point locking systems and anti-attack locking mechanisms could, according to KJM, save homeowners heartache this Christmas.

Mark continued: “Most windows and doors fitted in the last few years will be pretty secure but window technology does move on all the time because it has to stay ahead of criminals. That means that the new doors and windows fitted today make it even tougher for would-be burglars to break in.

“If your doors or windows are older, they may be more vulnerable and it’s worth checking to see if for example door cylinder locks, can be upgrade to the latest anti-bump or anti-snapping systems.”

The door lock ‘bumping’ method, uses a special skeleton key to bump the pins in widely used cylinder locks out of place, allowing the door to be opened. Older door cylinder locks can also be vulnerable to the ‘snapping’ technique. Handles are removed and the protruding part of the cylinder is forced either through the force of an impact or the use of tools, commonly mole grips. 

KJM Group offers a full range of secure, low maintenance and thermally efficient windows and doors in an extensive choice of colours and finishes. This includes an anti-pick, anti-drill, and anti-bump door locking cylinder option plus specially strengthened handle and cover designed to protect the cylinder from snapping and manufactured to meet the highest security standards.

Mark concluded: “There are some very simple steps that we can all take to deter burglars. Leaving a light on when we go out, not leaving gifts on show and properly securing windows and doors are easy ways to make it less likely that you’ll be targeted.

“But if your windows and doors are older, it is worth getting them assessed. A simple cylinder change or replacement door or windows may make your home considerably more secure.”

For more information visit kjmgroup.co.uk email [email protected] or call 01264 359355.