South Yorkshire Police have launched the ‘Keep It Safe’ campaign.

The ‘Keep It Safe’ campaign is South Yorkshire Police’s latest drive to combat burglary and car crime and will feature four fictional characters – PC Andy Beat, Siren the police dog and two criminals, Nick De Mota and Robin Holmes. These characters will be used to encourage householders and vehicle owners to secure their property and keep items out of view from criminals.

A website has recently been launched where you can view where there has been car crime and burglaries in a particular area and what you can do to prevent it.

The website can be viewed at www.operationlockdown.co.uk and will be updated Monday to Friday.

Here are just a few tips to help prevent home and vehicle crime:

Keep your home secure

• Keep all doors and windows locked at all times even when inside.
• One in three burglaries does not involve forced entry.
• Do not leave house or car keys in your home, particularly near doors or windows.
• Keep valuable property out of sight.
• Lock away ladders, garden tools, and other items that burglars could use to enter your home
• Have effective house alarms, CCTV systems and good quality locks fitted.
• If you’re not sure don’t open the door – always check the callers identify card and look up the organisation to check the caller is genuine. Don’t use the number on their card.

Top tips for keeping your vehicle safe

• Remember to lock doors and close windows before leaving your vehicle.
• Don’t leave items on show in your car, whether it’s an expensive laptop or just some loose change.
• Don’t leave valuables in the glove box of your car.
• Park your vehicle in a well-lit spot that is visible to other members of the public, or covered by CCTV.
• At home, don’t keep your car keys next to your front door or in an obvious place.
• If possible keep your vehicle in a garage.
• If your car doesn’t have an alarm, get one fitted or use a steering lock.
• Secure your number plates with clutch head screws.
• In the cold weather don’t leave your car unattended with the engine running, to defrost the windows.
• Never leave a Sat Nav in a vehicle and wipe away any sucker marks from the glass.