Commissioner Zoë, and community leaders encourage people to sign up to burglary reduction scheme as video door bells capture burglar.

Sign up at www.ProtectYourHome.org.uk

The scheme, with £719,000 being provided by the Home Office, aims to prevent burglary and protect individuals, families and businesses in over 1,000 homes and 90 farms along the borders of Craven District and Harrogate Borough with West Yorkshire.

Following a security survey, home owners can receive; new locks for vulnerable doors, windows, garages and sheds, and alarm systems for farms and small holdings. For homes with suitable WiFi coverage the scheme also includes a RING video door bell.

Free security surveys and upgrades are available to homes in the parishes of Clapham cum Newby, Cononley, Lawkland, and Lothersdale areas of Craven and Allerton Mauleverer with Hopperton, Kirk Deighton, Kirk Hammerton, Leathley, Long Marston, North Deighton, Sicklinghall and Spofforth with Stockeld areas of Harrogate.

Just before Christmas, video door bells, installed as part of the scheme, captured a burglar in Cononley. The video evidence enabled the police to identify the person and make an arrest.

Talking about the incident Senior Operational Commander, for Harrogate and Craven, Superintendent Teresa Lam said:

“The overnight mini crimewave in Cononley on 24 November became much easier to solve due to the safety equipment installed by the Safer Streets Fund.

“The properties were targeted by a single male offender who was quickly captured on CCTV at seven different properties in the village.

“The footage was clear and easy for residents to provide to the police and made identification of the male so much easier.

“The crimes included dwelling burglaries with a car being stolen from one house, shed and garage burglaries, criminal damage and several attempts to enter other dwellings and outbuildings.

“The offender was captured a couple of days later and is under investigation for all offences.

“The whole incident had a huge impact on the small community but they very quickly came together with their evidence to help solve the crimes, for which I am very grateful.

“I would encourage any eligible occupants to become involved in this fantastic initiative to help protect their properties”.

Commissioner Zoë said:

“My Office have done really well to secure this funding from the Home Office on behalf of these communities and so it’s really important that the money is used to improve the security of as many homes and farms as possible.

“The more people who sign up in a community the more resilient to burglary that area becomes, and we’ve seen this demonstrated in Cononley when a burglar was captured on seven video door bells, many funded through this scheme.

“So, please, if you live in one of the parishes covered by this scheme, please do sign up for your free security upgrades at www.protectyourhome.org.uk “

Local Councillor Andy Brown said:

“This is an excellent scheme.

“When several homes were broken into, one night in the village of Cononley, the police were able to use video footage to identify and arrest a suspect making the village feel much safer and more secure.

“Anyone who has the chance to participate in the scheme should do so, not just for their own safety but for their neighbours, because the more of us sign up, the safer our community becomes.”

Here’s a snapshot of what people have said about the scheme: 

• I was really impressed with the scheme and service and the contractor. I feel significantly safer, not necessarily because of the work we’ve had done but because so many people in the village are having the work done, thereby making the village as a whole safer.

• Absolutely superb. everything was very clear, the fitters were very efficient. It was really worth it, I feel a lot safer.

• First class service, not only for the work carried out but also for the security advice which was very specific to my property, not just generic. Was really, really, really impressed!!!!!

• Very satisfied, the work was done to a high standard and I feel much safer with my video door bell and the new locks.

• The guys were terrific. They fitted locks and a video door bell. They checked the locks on my front door. I live by myself and all in all feel significantly safer. I will spread the word to those around me who have so far not shown any interest.

• Super job. Ideal guys for the job. Lots of good advice. I can sleep easier now. Couldn’t say enough good things about our fitters.

About the Safer Streets Fund

£719,950 – the total budget for improving security on homes and farms, Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and upgrade of Rural Watch Signage in specific locations to detect and deter potential burglars 

• Scheme Started in Sept 2022 and ends in September 2023, last chance to sign up, August 2023.
• 422 homes have received a security upgrade
• 330 video door bells have been installed
• 651 homes have already signed up to the scheme
• Security upgrades on farms start in February.

Full details and how to sign up: www.ProtectYourHome.org.uk