Safer Street

Eight properties have been involved in the Safer Street project, here are some of the residents' experiences.

Charlene and Mike

First time buyers Charlene and Mike have only been in their home since 2007. They admit security wasn't top of their list.

“What with the solicitors, the surveys, the fees, and the mortgage - home security was the last thing on our minds.” said Charlene, 21.

When you have a whole house to renovate basic things such as replacing old and worn window and door locks are easily overlooked. The couple admit they weren't even using one of the locks on their front door!

But of course these are all magnets to would-be burglars.

“We had no idea that our windows were so vulnerable. It's a good feeling to know that this minor change may well help to put off a potential burglar. We also have a new frosted window in our shed to ward off prying eyes,” said Mike 22.

“It has certainly brought a lot of things to our attention and we will definitely bear them in mind now as we do up the house.”

Albert and Marion

Albert and Marion have been in their home for 42 years. Over that time the open alleyway that runs at the side of their property has been a growing concern. It gives instant access from the main road to the back of all the properties and they don't really know who is coming and going.

They have heard noises from the alley way and on numerous occasions have found strangers either asleep or wandering up the passage. So Albert, 68, was particularly pleased to have a sturdy wrought iron alley gate fitted. It is lockable and only the residents have keys.

“This will make a real difference. Knowing that we and our neighbours are now the only ones with access makes me feel more secure. It also builds community spirit as we now have a shared interest.”

Before the project, the couple would have struggled to pick their neighbours out of a crowd. Now they have regular chats over the fences and say “hello” in the street.

“Now we know one another, we look out for each other and our properties. Working together we can help make a difference to protect our homes.” said Marion, 66.

Ron and Maureen

Ron and Maureen have lived in their Victorian terraced home since 1957. Their home holds treasured memories; from the birth of their children to seeing them grow up and move on to build their own lives. Unfortunately this same house also harbours a few less pleasant memories – in those years the couple have been burgled twice.

Maureen, 79, recalls the moment they were awoken in the early hours of a Sunday morning by the sounds of two youths smashing their kitchen window.

“It was terrifying! Ron was ready to go downstairs to confront them, but I persuaded him to stay where he was. They heard us upstairs, and thankfully that was enough to frighten them off.”

This incident was enough to encourage the couple to install their own burglar alarm. However, the experience has certainly left its mark and they were eager to hear more about extra security measures that could be put in place.

Ron, 86, was surprised to learn that even their garden shed was vulnerable.

“We were told that sheds can be like shop windows to thieves, you tend to forget about the bits and pieces outside your home. We also hadn't considered better locks or having trellis fencing put along our walls. These small changes have all helped to make us feel safer in our home.”

Andy

Andy and his partner have lived in their house for 3 years. They have worked hard to put their own personal touches on their property, but they were unaware that they had overlooked some key risk areas that could leave them vulnerable to crime.

“The lean-to on the back of the house was home to all sorts of pots and gardening tools. It was a real eye-opener to learn that these kinds of things could actually be used to smash a window or break through the door.”

“And we had also provided an easy climbing frame to one of our back windows.”

A public path runs along the back of the properties, it is an easy vantage point for a potential burglar. So a new high trellis on the back wall and some prickly bushes immediately make the properties less visible.

“Burglar alarms and barbed wire are the first things that would have sprung to my mind if someone had mentioned home security to me before this project.

“Now I can see there are some simpler and easier things you can do - clever planting, tidying away anything that could be used to break in, and creating psychological barriers such as keeping gates closed, all help.”