Keep your home safe in darker months

t's a sad fact that crimes like robberies, break-ins and thefts increase during the long nights autumn and winter bring. We work with partner organisations like Kent Police to help keep you safe, but there are a few things we can all do to make sure everyone is better protected.

Kent Police have shared guidance to protect your home all year round. It includes:

• Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes,
• make sure that any valuables are out of sight,
• keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening,
• in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on,
• if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night.