Edge Hill — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Residential burglaries - there has been a recent spike in student premises being broken into during the early hours of the morning

Set: 2025-06-27

There has been a recent spike in student premises being broken into during the early hours of the morning - with the academic year beginning again we are prioritising residential burglaries. Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In around one in four burglaries committed, they do not have to use force; they often break in through an open door or window. Take simple precautions, such as locking windows and doors when you go out, even if just stepping next door or out in the garden. Also, use a light timer and do not leave your keys lying around. Look at your property through a burglar’s eyes to identify places where you can add deterrents and improve security. Secure all doors and windows – if they are not secure, neither is your property. Exterior doors • Make sure the doors and frames are strong and are in good condition. • Fit back and front doors with a five-lever mortice deadlock – and use it. • Glass panels on or around the door are especially vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass. • Fit a letterbox cage to stop someone reaching inside to open your night latch lock. • Check the door hinges are sturdy and secured with strong long screws. Consider using inexpensive hinge bolts to help reinforce the hinge side of a door against the use of force. Patio doors Patio doors and windows are often targeted by thieves, because in the past they have been easy to open. It can be useful to get specialist advice when fitting a patio door, with security in mind. • Patio doors should have special locks fitted top and bottom unless they already have a multi-locking system. • Patio windows which are made of aluminium are often the weakest type. Modern UPVC should come with multi-point locking systems as standard. Windows • Fit key-operated window locks to all downstairs windows and easily accessible upstairs windows. For example, those above a flat roof or by a drainpipe. • Even small windows, such as skylights or bathroom fanlights, need locks – a thief can get through any gap larger than the human head. • Remember to remove keys from locked windows and to keep them out of sight in a safe place. • If you are replacing windows – consider laminated glass. This glass has a layer of vinyl between two sheets of glass making it difficult to break. • As a last resort, consider fitting security grilles to vulnerable windows – many DIY shops now sell decorative wrought iron grilles.

Set: 2025-09-10

There has been a recent increase in residential burglaries targeting accommodations during the early morning hours.

We would like to inform you about a new Crime Prevention initiative we are trialling over the festive period and invite you to take part. For many, the festive period may involve extended periods away from your home, be it going on holiday, a student returning home during the Christmas break, or staying with friends or family. This unfortunately can lead to a period of security vulnerability for your home that can be exploited by burglars. From a Policing standpoint, our drive to pursue and protect you from offenders can be hampered by not knowing a specific time when the offence occurred, often only reported upon a return home, with no or limited descriptions of offenders to pursue and prevent from committing further offences. We are therefore piloting a new burglary prevention initiative in your area as we look to explore new ways of preventing crime using readily available technologies. This crime prevention initiative will involve the use of temporary internal CCTV cameras or monitors whilst your home is vacant for a prolonged period. These cameras are available through many main retailers and are simple by design. They are placed in position and link directly to your phone, providing a notification when movement is detected. The cameras should be utilised solely on a temporary basis during extended periods of unoccupancy, such as holidays or term breaks, and are only permitted in private rooms in multi-occupancy houses to avoid privacy concerns in shared spaces. To support this initiative we currently have a limited number of CCTV monitors available for distribution in the area. If you have plans to be away for a prolonged time over the Christmas period and are interested in participating in the initiative, please email your local ward officer which can be found below, with your name and address and we will make contact with you based on availability. Stay safe and Merry Christmas Your local Policing team Dingle | Your area | Merseyside Police Aigburth | Your area | Merseyside Police Princes Park | Your area | Merseyside Police Smithdown | Your area | Merseyside Police Wavertree Village | Your area | Merseyside Police Greenbank | Your area | Merseyside Police

Set: 2025-12-08

There has been a recent increase in residential burglaries targeting accommodations during the early morning hours.

Here are practical, proven ways to reduce the risk of burglary, organised so you can act on them easily. You don’t need to do everything—layering a few of these measures together makes a big difference. 1. Secure the Basics (Most Important) These stop the majority of opportunistic break-ins. Lock doors and windows every time you leave, even briefly. Fit solid doors with good-quality deadbolts (especially front and back doors). Use key-operated window locks, particularly on ground-floor and accessible windows. Don’t leave spare keys outside (burglars check obvious spots like pots and meter boxes). 2. Make Your Home Look Occupied Use timer switches for lights when you’re out in the evening. Leave a radio or TV on at low volume. Ask a neighbour to collect post and parcels if you’re away. Park a car in the driveway if possible, or ask someone to occasionally move it. 3. Improve Visibility & Lighting Install motion-activated outdoor lights near doors and dark areas. Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed low near windows and fences. Avoid tall fences or objects that give cover near entry points. 4. Use Alarms & Cameras (Even Simple Ones Help) A visible burglar alarm box (even a dummy) can deter criminals. Smart doorbells or cameras help monitor activity and collect evidence. Place cameras so they’re clearly visible—deterrence is the goal. 5. Secure Sheds, Garages & Ladders These are often overlooked and used to break into the house. Lock sheds and garages with strong padlocks. Store tools, ladders, and bicycles securely—don’t leave them outside. Lock internal doors between the garage and house. 6. Get to Know Your Neighbours Community makes a real difference. Join or start a neighbourhood watch. Let trusted neighbours know if you’ll be away. Report suspicious behaviour—early reports stop repeat crimes. Your local Policing team Dingle | Your area | Merseyside Police Aigburth | Your area | Merseyside Police Princes Park | Your area | Merseyside Police Smithdown | Your area | Merseyside Police Wavertree Village | Your area | Merseyside Police Greenbank | Your area | Merseyside Police

Set: 2026-04-16