Advice on how to stay safe at Christmas

They’re focusing on domestic burglary, the night time economy and ensuring you get home safely.

Brand new presents and valuable gifts offer rich pickings for opportunist burglars over Christmas and New Year. The ‘Don’t let burglars have a prosperous New Year’ campaign is aimed at preventing burglary within local homes by providing a practical ten point checklist for residents on how to effectively protect their property during and after Christmas.

Thousands of flyers with the message and checklist will be distributed by the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to groups throughout the borough. Top tips include - don’t leave presents or gifts in view from outside, lock all doors and windows, even when at home and make homes look occupied even when unoccupied.

According to reported statistics, the festive period can see a rise in incidents of alcohol-related violent crime. In order to help deter these incidents from occurring the ‘If you’re not in control, what is?‘ campaign is being displayed on boards throughout the borough for motorists to see.

This is to emphasis the issue to people consuming alcohol that they should think about their actions while out socialising as it could lead to something more serious such as violent crime.

On these boards there is five key pieces of advice to consider over the festive period including keeping noise down and considering neighbours when having a party and making sure you plan to get home safely . The PCSP funded Get Home Safe Bus Service, will also be in operation over the festive period every Saturday night as usual and also on Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day).

Craigavon PCSP Chair Councillor Gemma McKenna noted that, “Christmas, with its last minute shopping and additional running about, creates the perfect circumstances for criminals to practice their nefarious trade.”