Switch on and be safe campaign launched

IPSWICH police are issuing the message "Switch on and light up" as the nights start to draw in and the clocks go back.

Operation Illuminate was launched yesterday in Ipswich in readiness for the clocks going back this weekend .

The campaign is now in its fourth year. Crime Reduction Officers, together with representatives from Neighbourhood Watch offered advice and guidance to home owners from the Police 'pod' on the Cornhill, Ipswich yesterday.

Discount leaflets were available to obtain security products from certain retail outlets around the town at reduced prices. Ipswich Police have been working in partnership with the Ipswich Crime Reduction Panel to provide stickers and leaflets on the day.

Community Safety Sergeant Martin Ransome said: "We can't emphasise enough the importance of lighting up your home. An unlit house during the hours of darkness could be an easy target for the opportunist thief.

"Areas that particularly concern us are when parents leave their homes for only a few minutes to pick their children up from school – windows are sometimes inadvertently left open or the house left in darkness. Equally, people leaving for work in the morning may not consider that they will now be returning to a house in darkness.

"We would like to reassure people that burglaries in the area are relatively rare, but by implementing a few simple, sometimes inexpensive crime reduction measures the chance of becoming a victim of crime will be greatly reduced."

The following could be considered:

l Install timer switches to activate a light and radio while you are away from home

l Use low wattage bulbs on dusk to dawn sensors for outside lighting

l Ensure all windows and doors are shut and locked when your home is unoccupied

The Crime Reduction Officers can be contacted at Ipswich Police on 01473 383141 for more details.