Crime prevention

Crimestoppers crime prevention advice section

Crime Prevention

You can follow some simple tips to prevent yourself from being a victim of crime.

We've put together the advice in this section with the help of the Home Office.

'Adopt a burglar's way of thinking' by Michael Fraser

Michael Fraser, from BBC's 'Beat the Burglar' and 'To Catch a Thief', as well as Channel 4's 'One Last Job', gives 'Adopt a burglar's way of thinking' by Michael FraserCrimestoppers some insider tips on how to protect your home against thieves.

Don't have 'Beware of the dog' or 'I love cats' signs in your house - they're a sure sign that your house isn't alarmed, or that you might often leave your back door open

Don't keep a calendar hanging up in your house - it tells a thief everything about you

Keep suitcases and bags in the loft, or with their handles tied together. Otherwise a thief will use those very bags to transport items out of your house

Read more home security tips by Michael Fraser

Card fraud

Card Watch, managed by APACS - the UK payments association, explain the different ways in which you could become a victim of card fraud and how to protect yourself.

Card fraud information from Card Watch (APACS)

Fraud on credit and debit cards has a high cost to society as the proceeds are often used to fund serious organised crime, including drug trafficking and terrorism.

Although the financial cost of card fraud is largely borne by the banking industry, the personal cost in time, inconvenience and frustration while an incident is being investigated - being without cards, waiting for fraudulent expenditure to be reversed or offset, the sense of violation - is immeasurable.

Card Watch explains types of card fraud, where card fraud takes place and how it can be prevented.

Security advice by the Security Industry Authority (SIA)

A key part of securing your business is making sure you have the right security in place. The SIA outline what you can do to ensure that your business has trustworthy security in place.

Security for your business could include security guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit and CCTV for public places.

The SIA is the independent government body responsible for regulating the private security industry.

Security advice by the Security Industry Authority (SIA)

Advice: Read security advice by the SIA

SIA website: Visit the SIA's website