Look out for your neighbours – especially those older and more vulnerable members of your community and those who live alone.

If you see anything suspicious in your neighbourhood, call us immediately on 101.

If you see a crime in progress or someone is in danger always call 999.

Talk to us if you have concerns about anti-social behaviour or any crime in your community.

You can report through this website or call 101 to talk to your local beat team.

Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

To protect yourselves from pick pockets, thieves or bag dippers while shopping make sure you...

Top Tips

• Keep your purse/wallet hidden or concealed and not on the top of a shopping bag
• When using a credit/debit card, ensure people cannot view the PiN
• Don't flash your cash
• Ensure your car is left securely, removing any satellite navigation system or holder and mobile phone
• Don't leave any valuables on show on the seats of the car. Lock them away out of sight or better still remove them from the vehicle and avoid making repeated trips to put gifts in the car – you don't know who is watching.
• Try to park in a recognised approved car par, where there are regular patrols and CCTV is in operation
• If you have to park your car in the street, ensure it is a well-lit and well-used road. Ensure your alarm and engine immobiliser are activated
• If you have a business, ensure the property/yard/compound is secured. Company vehicles and vans should also be secured and alarmed and any power tools removed.

When out at night, drinking more can leave you unaware of your surroundings and more vulnerable to assault – physical or sexual.

Police are urging those planning nights out to consider their personal safety.

Top Tips

• Arrange to go out and return in a group or ask a relative/friend to pick you up at the end of the evening, book a taxi or if you have to walk home, ensure you select a busy and well-lit route
• Do not flash your mobile or iPod or other expensive electronic gadgets
• Consider purchasing a personal attack alarm
• Always try to keep your drink in sight when at a pub, club or party to avoid it being tampered with or spiked
• Always pay attention and be aware of your surroundings (avoid drunken groups)
• Try to avoid drawing large sums of money from "hole in the wall" cash machines. You do not know who may be watching
• Monitor your drinking. Excessive alcohol can result in drink driving, has been associated with anti social and nuisance behaviour. Heavy drinking can also lead to domestic incidents, violent and sexually-related incidents

Relentless on keeping you safe in your home: How to beat the bogus callers

As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in earlier we are urging you to look out for the older and more vulnerable members of your community and beat the bogus callers.

Distraction burglars are criminals who pose as bogus officials and make up stories to get into your home.

Rogue traders call at the door without an appointment and offer to do work on your home or garden. Often this work will be over priced and poor

quality. They will invent problems that need repairing or quote high prices for minor work.

Usually one or more people will knock on your door with a story of some kind of emergency and ask for, or offer help. One person will keep you occupied while another sneaks in and searches your home and takes money/jewellery.

These criminals can be men, women or even children. Their appearance can be smart, casual or they may even wear tabards and have fake identification.

Thankfully these types of crimes are infrequent but these criminals often target

Top Tips on staying safe from rogue traders and distraction burglars:

• If you are not expecting visitors, always ask for identity for anyone who knocks at the door and check it with the company they claim to be from.
• Always use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider. Don't use any telephone numbers provided by the caller – they may be bogus. Genuine callers won't mind making an appointment for a date when you can have someone with you. This gives you time to check their identity too.
• Never use companies who make unsolicited calls, don’t provide contracts, or offer to do work for cash.
• Call a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check out the caller before you open the door to them.
• Many service providers provide password schemes and it can be helpful to sign up to these. When unannounced callers knock at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
• Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
• Where possible, have a safety chain fitted and always attach the chain before opening the door to strangers.
• If you are not a member of a neighbourhood watch scheme, have you thought about starting one? Being a member brings an extra feeling of safety and encourages neighbours to help look out for one another.
• Remember it's your doorstep, your decision.