As communities throughout the Cayman Islands gear up for the festive season, officers from the RCIPS are passing on valuable tips and advice about how to keep homes and businesses safe.

While officers routinely visit business premises throughout the year, from Monday 16 December the visits will have a firm focus on festive safety and security. Officers will spend time with business owners and staff providing them with security advice and pamphlets.

Then, on Friday 20 December, people are being encouraged to pick up something extra when they do their lunchtime shop – home security and crime prevention tips.

RCIPS Officers will be located outside supermarkets from 11.00 am until 1.00pm on Friday to provide shoppers with crime prevention information on how to make life more difficult for would-be burglars. The supermarkets involved include all Foster Foods Fair IGA Supermarket locations, Hurley’s Supermarket in Grand Cayman; Billy’s Supermarket in Cayman Brac; and Village Square Supermarket in Little Cayman.

Chief Inspector Angelique Howell said: “We are all aware that burglaries have been on the rise recently – and it’s clear that the police and the public need to do much more to help prevent these crimes. Most burglaries are opportunist, with criminals scouring neighbourhoods looking for insecure homes, or homes with poor lighting, overgrown hedging or locks that can easily be forced. Only last week 7 burglaries took place over one 48 hour period – of those burglaries 6 homes had been insecure with doors or windows being left open or unlocked. In a recent dip sample over a three month period 38 of 188 burglaries were as a result of premises being insecure. We are not at all laying blame on the victims with these statements – but merely underlining the importance of ensuring that your property is secure, doors and windows locked and adequate lighting in place. None of us want to be victims of crime – so let’s work together to make it as difficult as we can for would-be burglars.

“We hope to see as many people as possible come out to the roadshows on Friday – but don’t worry if you can’t make it along you can check out the tips on our website, or contact your local police station where officers will be happy to help.”

Some general burglary prevention steps are;

Fit locks on all windows and doors.

Use deadbolts.

Place bars in the tracks or track locks on all sliding glass doors and windows, but make sure they won’t impede your escape in an emergency!

Don’t hide your keys on your property.

If you’re going away for the holidays – don’t say so in your telephone answering machine message.

Believe it or not, a nosy neighbour is a burglar’s worst enemy. Get to know your neighbours and work out an arrangement to watch each other’s houses. Let them know when you will be gone and whether any deliveries are expected while you are away.

Ask a neighbour or friend to stop by your house periodically; have him/her open and close blinds, turn on different lights.

During an extended vacation, make arrangements to have someone mow your lawn or trim your hedges and notify your local police station that you will be away.

Leave lights on automatic timers.

Store jewellery and other valuables in a safe hiding place, such as a safety deposit box.

CI Howell is also encouraging anyone who is not actively participating in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to contact their local coordinator or their nearest police station for more information.

If anyone wishes to speak to a police officer about home or business security they should contact their local police station.