THE police crime reduction team took to the streets of Okehampton last week to test security ? and will carry out a similar exercise in Tavistock this week. Burglaries of homes where windows or doors are left open or unlocked increase during the summer months. Police officers, West Devon?s police community support officer and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Colin Harris walked the streets and estates of Okehampton to see what security was like. Sgt Dave Anning said they were surprised at how many people had left their front door unlocked. ?Some were in and were obviously surprised when we opened the door, but others had gone out or were in the back yard and we had to find them.? Many homes were well-secured, but dozens of insecurities were discovered, ranging from unlocked garages to houses that were completely insecure. People sunbathing in their back gardens were particularly vulnerable, Sgt Anning said, as a number were found to have left their front doors unlocked or windows open. ?They had no way of knowing who was entering the house. One young lady had finished her night shift and gone to bed, only for her boyfriend to go to work, leaving the house unlocked. An officer was able to enter and eventually had to call out in order to wake her up. ?Fortunately, everyone took the message in the spirit in which it was intended and the idea was well received by everyone we spoke to,? said Sgt Anning. PC Angie Frost said, ?I am well trained in giving advice about locks and ?target hardening?, but really the houses had all the equipment they needed ? it just wasn?t used?. Only officers in full uniform approached houses and tried doors and windows. Anyone seeing a person in plain clothes doing this should call the police immediately.
