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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. We would like to make you aware of some “Property Marking” information that our intelligence teams have collated so you can recognise anything similar around your property and in the wider community.
“Property Marking” is a term used to denote a way that offenders mark a property as being a target for a future burglary. Either due to potentially being empty or the occupier/premises has been deemed a suitable target. Recent such tactics identified in nearby areas include:
• Sellotape stuck over the front door keyhole
• The letter V in a circle written outside the address
• Empty white envelopes left hanging in letterboxes
• Small piece of card wedged in the front door frame
• White pebble/s found on the front garden wall that would not ordinarily be there
• White strip paint mark next to front door
We would ask you to be vigilant around your property so you would notice any such incidents or other ways you feel your or your neighbour’s property may have been “marked”.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team further about this or are concerned about anything you have seen, please do not hesitate to reach out to us on this platform or report via the external website at www.met.police.uk
 While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Make sure that you: Double lock your door every time you leave the house If you can, move garden furniture or bins away from windows so that thieves cannot use them to gain access. Use laminated glass or security film on ground floor and accessible windows. Use a sash stop if you have sash windows to prevent people opening them enough to climb through. If your windows open outwards, use a key operated lock – check these are locked before leaving the house. Make sure all valuables are out of sight. Keep handbags and keys away from letterboxes or cat flaps. In the evening shut the curtains and leave lights on. Set your burglar alarm Lock your shed or garage Mark, register or record your valuables.
Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe. If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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