General - Christmas Crime Prevention

Christmas Crime Prevention  The last minute rush is on for those must have Christmas necessities, food and presents. (Yes, even the burglar is under pressure at Christmas!) So please remember: to secure your gifts out of sight in the vehicle when parked for shopping. Utilise the boot.  Lock that car. Car thieves really appreciate that unlocked door or open window.

Ensure your home is locked to prevent access by the passing burglar (even if you are at home) - they do go searching for the easy access points.  Use the burglar alarm if fitted when you are out.

Don't advertise the fortune in gifts under the easily viewed Christmas tree. These people do not have the same moral thought or conscience you or I have - they will not spend a fortune in gifts when they can steal them in two minutes, no doubt with the obligatory free family car to carry them away with!!

Please enjoy your festivities but don't spoil it by that one drink too many, then uttering the non-festive comment that leads to the domestic incident. The "talking when I should have been listening" approach that results in black eyes and split lips. No matter how much you felt she deserved it and no matter how nicely your house is decorated with tinsel and trees such acts of violence are illegal and really, we don't want to spend Christmas with you either.
Do not drink and drive - leave those keys at home so you can relax and enjoy your festive time. Bad enough a drink driver being caught - your worst is a disqualification from driving, loss of a job, a criminal record or possibly prison. For a victim your gift is for life - if they survive.
Keep an eye to those elderly and vulnerable neighbours and family. They used to have the responsibility to look after us now it is our responsiblity to look after them. The criminal still seeks to take advantage of them through burglary, bogus calls and rogue traders.
Drive safely through this snowy spell. We all took the driving test. We all know the rules of the road. (Yes, we do have better things to do and if we didn't have to deal with the "innocent member of the public" breaking the law we would indeed have time to catch the "real criminal".)

Show a little common sense and consideration for other road users - driving is still a privilege not a right.

Take note of all the above and trust me when I tell you there is no turkey dinner served in Lisburn custody on Christmas Day.

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Amidst all the festive mayhem, unwrapping of presents, the cooking of the turkey and the present opening with family and friends please spare a thought for "our family".

Some of them will have given up such a celebration time to ensure you can freely enjoy the privileges of Christmas in safety and security. Some will miss the awe on their children's faces at Santa's overnight visit and presents left. Other's the family re-union missed until another year. All because they are doing a job others take for granted.
Perhaps we don't get it right all the time - but mostly we do. If we are not there when you expect us its because we are somewhere else with someone who did and who indeed at that time needed us even more. Be it the elderly burgled, the robber trying to make good his escape, the serious assalut in progress or that serious or fatal road traffic collision and dealing with the traumatic aftermath and the never expected house call. Not a pleasure I assure you.
We cannot appear instantly, we do have to travel there - safely - and that does take time. We do have to make sure that what we are tasked to is what we should expect when we get there. Such is the climate in which we currently work and so we feel our families deserve that necessary caution.
Alas, even in this last year there are those of "our family" who will not enjoy such festivity. Those whose Happy Christmas will be tempered by an empty seat at the festive table and who won't again have the quietly whispered "I'm home" after night shift or tea time cry of "Daddy's here".
We do try our best and in this job there is no greater satisfaction than bringing the criminal to book or helping that person in distress, that is what we do. We seek only appreciation through the understanding of what serving our community really means.
I would like to thank all who have participated in Lisburn Community Safety Network over the last year. The numbers have swelled yet again and continues to do so. Your co-operation and enthusiasm has been once again encouraging and helpful and I trust that this has been reciprocated to you. Your comments are always welcome and encouragement greatly appreciated.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas, that you experience and enjoy the spirit of its true meaning and may we all have a peaceful and prosperous 2010.
And finally....
on Christmas Eve, in the still of the night, when the children are finally asleep yet you sleepily rouse to hear that crunching in the snow outside your window, the turn of a door handle and the creak of a floorboard tread lightly underfoot and blearily spot that elfin type shadow stealthily makes it's way through the house - remember - ...........the "Big Guy" always uses the chimney!!

So dial 999 asap and call the Police, it's probably a creeper burglar!!

Merry Christmas everyone,