15. Our insurance companies would be very pleased to learn that we had fixed our more expensive garden furniture to the ground.
For many of our back yards boast rich pickings.
And it isn’t unheard of for burglars to steal entire gardens – sheds, plants, ponds and all.
We should consider cementing garden furniture into the ground. Similarly, for our expensive plants, we could readily place bricks in the bottom of their pots, to make it difficult for green-thumbed thieves to take off with them.

It’s also a good idea to chain big-ticket items such as lawnmowers to the walls inside our shed or garage.

16. A scam is, of course, a scheme designed to con you out of your cash.
Approaches to you could be from so-called clairvoyants, pyramid scheme sellers, prize draw administrators, foreign money managers, work from home employers, golden investment opportunity tellers, miracle cure purveyors, “banks” asking you to give out personal account details and change them, etc.
If anything sounds like it’s just too good to be true then likely it is.
If anyone asks you for a payment up front for a money making scheme, or asks for your bank details, then end the call, delete the email, feed the wheelie bin with their shredded letter.
Talk to Consumer Direct on 0845 040506 if you are suspicious about anything, and get their practical advice.

Here are a few screenshots of scams circulating which you may see in your inbox. Please be wary of any ‘clickable’ links as they may lead to bogus sites and never send passwords on email.

17. From time to time we do suffer from thefts involving the removal of number plates from parked cars. This type of theft is prevalent where some vehicle users are trying to avoid the London congestion charges and speed camera tickets etc.

It is not totally clear why so many number plates are being stolen from cars. All makes and models are targeted, with no particular pattern or preference. But if you become a victim of this sort of crime, it could prove difficult at a later stage to disprove that it wasn’t you or your car that has been caught on camera.
Number plates are fitted in different ways – glued, bolted, screwed on.
To help deal with this problem Surrey Police have supplied free anti-vandal screws. They can be screwed tight – but not unscrewed. If your number plates are glued on it’s better to ensure they are better secured.

18. Before opening our door, we should check who’s calling. Using a spy-hole or door chain.
Checking  the caller’s appearance. Genuine utility workers will generally wear a uniform and drive a company-signed vehicle.
Asking for identification, which should include a photo.
If in doubt, we should ‘phone the company and check, using a number from the telephone directory, not given by the caller. Genuine staff from utility companies won’t mind waiting or will call back later.
If we are worried, we don’t have to be afraid to say NO.
And if really concerned we just call 999 immediately.
Many distraction burglars prefer to target elderly people. So we should look out for our elderly relatives and neighbours and pass this advice on to them.

19. If we’re not experiencing some form of sluggishness with our computer then we’re probably not using it!
Almost all of our computers are infected with something or other because we use the Internet.
And there’s a heap of clever people who either get a buzz from irritating our use of our computer, or they want to know what we are doing on it. Not just out of idle curiosity either.

Adware is generally a mild form of Spyware installed on our computer and not a harmful intrusion. Just advertising pop-ups that are a bit of an annoyance.

Spyware will have been installed on our computer, usually without our permission. It can change how our computer works and monitors your Internet activity. Why? Well; to collate and send information to someone we do not know; by and large to advertisers.

Malware refers to more malicious programs that can rob our PC of its ability to run efficiently. The newer, more advanced forms can actually steal personal information like bank passwords or credit card numbers.

So, if you do not have software protection against the above then go get some now.

20. 90% of crime is against property and not people.
So: we can reduce the chances of being burgled by taking a few actions
Use timers for lights and radios if you need to be away from home overnight. They will create the impression that someone is in.

Visible burglar alarms, good lighting, and carefully directed and limited security lighting can act as deterrents. But make sure that lights don’t disturb your neighbours, and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes.

Fences at the back of the house may make this area more secure, but walls and solid fencing may let a thief break in without being seen. A good compromise is chain-link fencing, or trellises with prickly shrubs.

22. For our safety we should always stay alert. Always be aware of our surroundings, and the people around us.
Reading and listening to music can be distracting
Look confident means we do not look like a victim.
We should trust our instincts – if something makes us feel unsafe, leave the area
e.g. avoid obvious danger spots such as dark alleys and underpasses at night
Have a plan – what should we do if a situation becomes unsafe?
(e.g. where are the fire exits?)

23. Stolen mobile phones account for over 25% of all robberies, with young people especially vulnerable. Some simple tips to make life safer:
Always use phone’s security lock code or PIN, which not only protects the
phone, but also our personally stored numbers
Make a note of the 15-digit serial or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment
Identity) number. This is usually found on the original box, or by keying in
*#06# into most phones
Register phone with our service provider. If we report our phone stolen, the operator will then be able to bar the handset and the SIM card
Try not to use phone in crowded areas where we feel unsafe, as thieves can see it as a target. Use silent ring to avoid attracting attention if we are on our own
Whilst using our mobile phone we can be distracted, making it easier for someone to take it from us.
Do not leave our phone unattended. Keep it with us at all times

24. It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to reach over and swipe our mobile phone, wallet or handbag from where it’s been set down on a pub or restaurant table.

So we should always keep an eye on our valuables when out in public, especially in crowded places. If  carrying a handbag, make sure it’s on our arm at all times and zipped up. Not leaving mobile phones, MP3 players or other digital devices unattended in public places.

It’s important too to be aware that leaving evidence of our address with other valuables could present a real risk. It’s a good idea not to keep a record of where we live in the same handbag as house keys; in case it is stolen.

25. Spare a few minutes before leaving home to review journey:
Our purse, mobile phone, keys and other valuables should be spread around
our body and be well hidden from view. A personal attack alarm must be in an
easily accessible place
Check that our keys are kept separate from anything showing our home address and don’t keep them in a bag or briefcase. If our bag is snatched, we wil lose the keys as well. If we lose our keys, we should change our locks immediately
Keep the contents of a handbag to a minimum. We are less likely to fight for it, and therefore, less likely to get hurt
Wallets should not be kept it in a back trouser pocket
Ensure PIN is separate from our cards and chequebooks