CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE
KNN-KildareNet News is Kildare's dedicated internet audiovisual news service for and about Kildare people at home and worldwide. KNN is the official provider of news and current affairs and related information to the
County Kildare Community Network.
TO
HEAR AUDIOS DOWNLOAD 
REALPLAYER (FREE)
BE VIGILANT ABOUT YOUR SECURITY FOR CHRISTMAS
Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Mary Corcoran has issued these guidelines for personal and business security during the Christmas period. As always, they are based on common sense.
A. WHEN SHOPPING
· If possible, avoid carrying large amounts of cash
· Park your car in a recognised car park or other secure place
· When travelling in your car, do not leave bags Iying on the seat
· Be careful regarding your cheque books, cheque cards and pin numbers etc.
· When paying for goods, try not to expose large amounts of cash in your possession
· Do not carry wallets, purses, etc. in easily accessible pockets and be aware of pick pockets in crowded shopping areas.
· When in restaurants, be careful with regard to your bags and purchases.
· Prior to leaving your vehicle, ensure that you have locked all the doors and that windows are rolled up tight. Make sure the steering lock, if fitted, is engaged and if you have an alarm, ensure you have it on.
· Never leave any possessions/purchases on view inside the car. If you have to leave them, discreetly lock them in the boot
· do not hide spare keys within the wheel
· Be vigilant when returning to your car with your purchases
B.SECURlTY OF YOUR HOMES
· Be security conscious with regard to your home, in particular, when you will be absent, try and make it appear as if your home is occupied and have someone look after it. Contact the local Gardai and let them know when your home will be vacant over the Christmas period and be vigilant with regard to your neighbour's security, also the elderly and those living alone.
· Check out callers to your home fully and ask for identification. Do not admit strangers to your home.
· Be alert and report any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles to your local Gardai immediately.
· Careful consideration should be given to the use of audible or silent alarms, a silent alarm system is favoured in high risk situations as local bells/sirens may cause panic and injury to staff/customers
· The alarm should be installed to a current Irish standard and ideally have a connection to a Central Monitoring Station. Consideration should also be given to having a radio link back-up on the alarm system
· Consider, where possible, that vulnerable rear door and windows be alarmed on a 24-hour basis with built in access/egress facilities if desired and that risk areas are adequately protected by a combination of good physical and electronic security.
For further information/advice - Please contact Sergeant Mary Corcoran, Crime Prevention Officer, Naas Garda Station Tel. no. 045 884361 or your local station
Hereunder are a number of general guidelines regarding Security of Business Premises.
1. Ensure the physical protection of the premises is adequate by having security barriers to thwart off the criminals who may attempt to break in. In this regard the use of steel shutters, grilles, burglary bars, anti-ram bars, good security quality locks (mortice 5-lever deadlock type or equivalent) should be considered. The glass in windows and doors should be of strong quality.
2. If the premises incorporates residential accommodation, ensure that the public do not have access to this area during opening hours. Make sure that all external and internal doors are secure (an automatic door closing unit and good quality lock on the internal door helps to achieve this). An audio-visual door porter system should be considered.
3. In certain locations and situations, access must be restricted. To this end, electronic locks, speak through communications system, C.C.T.V., or wide angle door scanners should be used and care on the part of staff in the strict operation of such a system should be insisted upon. All persons should be clearly in view before admittance is permitted. Frequent reviews of security procedures must be given priority.
4. For Displays it is recommended that well constructed, firmly anchored glass cases or cabinets only be used.
CASH TILLS/SAFES :
At all times and, in particular, during the Christmas trading period, security and cash handling arrangements are of utmost importance, hereunder are general guidelines.
· Avoid letting large amounts of cash accumulate in tills, a minimum amount should be decided upon. Larger amounts should be deposited in time-delay/time-lock safe.
· Good quality safes should be used
· Safes have deposit ratings - insurance company should be consulted.
· Your safe should be securely fixed. Free standing safes should be rag-bolted to concrete floor/wall if under 1 ton weight. There are also chute feed safe facilities available.
NOTICES
If time delay/time lock is being used, display in a prominent position that access to the safe is not readily available, owing to the use of time locking facility or other suitable wording.
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION
CCTV monitoring and recording by an efficient, well installed system should be considered to cover likely risk or hold up points.
ALARMS
· A well installed regularly serviced intruder alarm should be utilised
· Personal attack alarm buttons (personal or fixed) should be to hand at likely vulnerable points
· Careful consideration should be given to the use of audible or silent alarms, a silent alarm system is favoured in his risk situations as local bells/sirens may cause panic and injury to staff/customers
· The alarm should be installed to a current Irish Standard and ideally have a connection to a central monitoring station. Consideration should also be given to having a radio link back up on the alarm system.
· Consider, where possible, that vulnerable rear door and windows be alarmed on a 24 hour basis with built in access/egress facilities if desired and that risk areas are adequately protected by a combination of good physical and electronic security.
KEYHOLDING
* Consider that a person who holds keys of the premises and alarm system can be compromised to effect total entry
* Where possible, a system should be devised for dual keyholding/or code of alarm system
* Unscheduled openings of the premises after normal locking up time should be notified to the Gardai through the alarm company
* Particular vigilance should be exercised prior to leaving and when locking up your premises
* Telephone calls to key holder, especially if they pertain to matters relating to the keyholding for the premises, should be treated with suspicion as should personal callers to homes of key holders, identities of callers should be checked out fully.
* The use of good home security by business people is important, such as an alarm system as outlined, the use of wide angle door viewers, door chain/limiter, and good quality locks on doors and windows.
THE ABOVE ARE GUIDELINES ONLY, SHOULD ANY BUSINESS PERSON REQUIRE FURTHER ADVICE, YOU MAY CONTACT SERGEANT MARY CORCORAN, CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER, NAAS TEL. 045-884361 0R YOUR LOCAL GARDA STATION. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS, VEHICLES ETC., TO YOUR LOCAL GARDA STATION IMMEDIATELY
Please
bookmark and refer back regularly as we enhance services - make this page
your default browser home page so you keep in touch every time you log
on to the internet.
Produced by
