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Lock up and light up is the primary directive issued by West Midlands Police to deter burglars in Tipton and surrounding Sandwell areas like Great Bridge, Princes End, and Tipton Green. Local neighbourhood policing teams emphasize that simple, habitual security routines provide the most robust defence against opportunistic thieves in the DY4 area. 1. Essential Home Lockdown Habits Lift, Lock, Remove: For uPVC doors, you must lift the handle and turn the key to engage the multi-point locking system. Remove the key from the lock afterwards.Constant Vigilance: Lock all windows and doors every time you leave, even if you are only popping out for a few minutes or working in the back garden. Key Security: Keep car and house keys completely out of sight from windows. Never leave keys near front doors or letterboxes where thieves can use "hooking" or signal-relaying devices. 2. Eliminate "Window Shopping" & Cover Stop Prying Eyes: High volumes of terraced and street-front properties in Tipton make valuables easily visible from pavements. Close blinds or curtains as soon as you turn your lights on.Keep the Front Visible: Lower front fences (around 1 metre high) are preferred. Overgrown bushes create hiding spots; trim them back so neighbours can clearly see your front door.Secure the Rear: Use tall fencing at the back and sides of your property. Consider adding trellis or defensive, prickly plants (like roses or hawthorn) to make climbing over difficult. 3. Physical & Digital Deterrents Light Up the Night: Install head-height dusk-to-dawn exterior lighting near your front and back doors. Use internal timer switches on lamps to make your house look occupied when empty.Clear the Garden: Do not leave ladders, bricks, loose slabs, or heavy garden tools lying around. Burglars regularly use a resident’s own equipment to smash windows or force entry. Lock them in a secure shed.Surveillance: Install a visible smart doorbell or a dedicated outdoor security camera—such as the TP-Link Tapo C510W—to monitor activity, capture evidence, and act as a psychological deterrent. Sandwell Police .. Reporting To report suspicious activity or provide information on local break-ins, use the Live Chat tool on the West Midlands Police Website or call 101. In an active emergency where a crime is in progress or a suspect is on your property, always dial 999 immediatelyThank you from Tipton police station. | 
