As many residents are likely to be heading off on summer holidays or for days out in the coming weeks, Selby Neighbourhood Policing Team is reminding people to make sure their homes are secure when they are left unoccupied.  

Summer can be a hectic time of year and home security tends to be far down people’s list of priorities. However, if you are planning to leave your home empty, even for short periods of time, giving your home a lived-in look by using timers on lights is a great way to deter burglars. Investing in doorbell and external Wi-Fi cameras is also a relatively cheap way to keep your home and valuables safe.

Sharing your holiday plans on social media can also tip off burglars that your home is going to be empty, so make sure your security settings only let family and friends see your posts.  

Keeping your home cool during the hot weather is another opportunity criminals look out for, as many people forget doors and windows are left open when they leave the house. Burglars will also be on the lookout for outbuildings and garages that are left unlocked.

There are many ways to give your home a ‘lived-in’ look when it’s unoccupied, so that any would-be criminals aren’t tempted:

As a resident we would also encourage anyone to alert and report suspicious activity within their community immediately. If you notice any suspicious looking persons or vehicles then please report this on 101, or via the North Yorkshire Police website. 

Finally. we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer.