CRIME: It is always better to take crime prevention precautions to reduce your crime risks where you might find that your house, vehicle or smaller moveable equipment is subject to some form of criminal activity.

Firstly you can do many things to protect your home particularly by fitting appropriate window and door locks and also provide a lock and bolt on your side gate.

If you are going away ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your property and perhaps they can check your house from time to time to remove any build-up of mail in your letter box. An alarm and or automatic lighting switching system in the house to turn lights on and off at various random times gives the impression that there is someone at home.

One thing which we must always consider, in these days of the social network, where many post all sorts of personal information. Be aware that if you post that you are going away on a special holiday, you might come back to find that your house has been emptied of your hard earned valuables. This has already happened at various locations in the past and is sure to happen in the future as this information is just what the criminal fraternity is looking for.

Now that spring is on its way it is important to keep all your garden equipment safe. Ensure that all ladders are secure and are not left around, make sure that all gardening equipment is kept in a locked secure shed or garage. Be aware that there are many opportunist criminals who are always looking for items which are left around on driveways and on front gardens lawns, such as bicycles, scooters and children`s toys, all of these can be quickly picked up and loaded into a passing vehicle.

Ensure that motor cycles are kept secure with a chain and lock. Motor vehicle should always be left locked and secure. Never leave keys in the ignition and the engine running when you pop back into the house, (it is against the law anyway) and certainly a risk to road safety.

Never leave any valuables on view in your car particularly moveable satellite navigation equipment. Even if you remove and hide away in the vehicle make sure that you remove tell-tale signs of suctions pads which proclaim that there might be such equipment possibly in the glove compartment. Always put shopping in the boot secure away from prying eyes.

When getting money from cash machines be aware of any suspicious persons loitering nearby and always check the machine to see if it has been tampered with in anyway. Be aware that there are AP`s on some mobile phones which can read the electronic information on your debit and credit cards by just being close to you. There are metallic sleeves which you can store your cards inside your purse or wallet to help prevent this.

Finally if you have any concerns and wish to pass on information which might help the police please make sure that you report this on the 101 system. This system has had its faults with time answering delays, it has been improved of late and hopefully will continue to do so.

Also most important of all if you see a crime being committed or are subject of a crime you must phone 999 to ensure that you get help as soon as possible.

Alway - John Guy

John.Guy@newport.gov.uk