Watch Your Boiler This Winter…Or Thieves Will

Advice on security of your home is available from your local neighbourhood policing team.xa0Down District Community Safety Partnership Chairman Councillor Mickey Coogan said, “Thefts from boiler houses seem to be on the increase so we all need to do our bit to decrease this form of crime in our district. Not only is it a big inconvenience to residents but can be very costly to replace. It will also make our older residents very vulnerable as we get closer to colder weather. [caption id="attachment_30744" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Roy Edwards, DDPP member, Aidan Brannigan, Downpatrick NIHE Manager, Sergeant John McKenna, Neighbourhood Policing, and Cllr Mickey Coogan, Chairman of the Down District Community Safety Partnership launching the boiler theft awareness campaign."][/caption] “Householders should mark their boilers with their own postcode, house number and keep note of the model numbers and serial codes. “Other ways to secure your boiler are to lock the boiler house up with a good quality lock and to make access to the back of your property more difficult for an intruder. Security lighting that operates from an automatic sensor (PIR) has also proven to be a great deterrent to thieves.” District Policing Partnership Chairman, Councillor William Dick added, “This is a deplorable crime within our district as it puts vulnerable people at risk and can cause considerable damage to property. We need to work together to make this as difficult as we can for the criminal. “We would also recommend that anyone who is offered such items at reduced prices or in unusual circumstances, should beware and contact the police at 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.”]]>