Top tips to keep your home safe:

• Fit strong locks to external windows
• Keep keys-out of sight
• Ensure newspapers, post etc are not left on display
• Ask a friend or neighbour to watch your home while you are away.
• Fit a door chain and spy hole
• Never leave a spare key in a hiding place i.e. under a doormat.
• If you have an alarm set it when you leave the house
• Install outdoor security lighting
• Side gates should be locked and bolted
• Don’t draw curtains whilst you are away it is an indicator the house is empty

Vehicle Crime – Out of sight, out of mind:

• Never leave a car unlocked or a window or sunroof open
• Lock your belongings in the boot or take them with you
• Security mark your stereo and if removable take it with you

View our recent campaign poster out of sight, out of mind

Personal Safety

Statistically the chances of you being a victim are low however, if you learn to plan ahead than this will help your own personal safety:

• Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks.  Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted
• If you do have to pass danger spots, think about what you would do if you felt threatened. The best idea is to head for a public place where you know there will be other people, for example a garage or shop. If you are at all worried, try and walk with a friend or stay near a group of people
• Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them
• Try to keep both hands free and don’t walk with your hands in your pockets
• Always take the route you know best and try to use well lit busy streets
• Walk facing oncoming traffic
• If you do feel vulnerable you can carry a personal safety alarm which can be used to shock
• Keep your mind on your surroundings – remember if you are wearing a personal stereo you may not hear trouble approaching
• It is a good idea to have a mobile phone, a phone card, or some spare change with you to enable you to make a phone call

On a night out please visit our safer nights page for useful information on how
to keep safe.

Fire Safety

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service offer free home visits to provide you with crucial information on how to prevent accidental fires breaking out. 

Contact the Fire Service today on 01743 260298 and leave your details for your home fire safety check or for further advice call Community Fire Safety on 01743 260260

To reduce the risk of Arson:

• Secure all property close ground floor windows, lock doors, garages and sheds
• Put out rubbish for collection as late as possible and certainly not overnight, bins should be at least 6m away from properties
• Store flammable materials in an appropriate container and lock away securely
• Consider external security measures, e.g. lighting
• Be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 0300 333 3000 or

For more information on Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service click here.

Distraction Burglary

Below are some useful tips if you have any suspicious callers at your door. You can also visit the West Mercia Police website for information on the 'Knock Knock' campaign or download the knock knock leaflet.

Further crime prevention advice can also be found at  www.westmercia.police.uk

Remember if in doubt, keep them out!

• Keeping an eye on people calling in the area or acting suspiciously
• Noting the registration numbers of vehicles parked in your area for a period of time
• There is no such thing as a 'water board' - they don't exist any more
• Encouraging vulnerable people to check a caller’s identity carefully and to keep their door on a chain.  If they have any doubt  about the caller’s integrity they should not let them into their home
• Call on vulnerable people on a regular basis.  If it is not too much trouble, help them keep their front garden tidy and find reliable tradespeople for any maintenance work that really does need to be undertaken
• Calling 0300 333 3000 to provide information to the police about suspicious people, activity or vehicles however insignificant it may seem
• If a distraction burglary has taken place or been attempted, encourage the victim to report it as quickly as possible

You can also download the attached poster to display at your door If in doubt, keep them out