Welcome To Wivelsfield Community

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

Coming soon.

Where is your nearest Neighbourhood Watch scheme?

How do you join?

What is the aim?

What information can you share on this website? Communication forum for information from and to Sussex Police.

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Sussex Police - your local contacts for this area

Non-emergency contact can be made with the Police on 0845 60 70 999.

In the event of Emergency dial 999.

Follow 'Links' on the navigation menu to Sussex Police

Neighbourhood Specialist Constable

James Vitler

Police Community Support Officer

Chris Buggins

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• In 2 out of 10 burglaries no force is used, they simply enter through an open door or window. It is very difficult to make your house totally burglar proof, but you can defeat most burglars.
  
• Try looking at your home through a burglar's eyes - look for places they could break in unseen. How strong are your locks on both the windows and doors; are there high hedges, trees or fences for the opportunistic thief to hide behind and hide vulnerable windows?
  
• The enemies of the burglar are noise and time. If your security measures mean that the burglar has to take a lot of time or make a lot of noise they can be put off. Great tips include planting plants with sharp spikes on in front of windows and down-pipes, laying pea-shingle on flowerbeds, gravelling paths and driveways and fitting window alarms.
  
• Leave a light on in the evening when you go out; be selective as if you really were in the house. Ask yourself what lights would be on.

DOORS AND LOCKS

Do not leave a spare key hanging inside the letterbox, under plant pots or doormats or anywhere else around your home. Thieves know all the hiding places and you will just make their job easier.

Many doors offer as much protection from a determined criminal without a key as they do with one, so you could be at risk despite any other security measures you might employ. This is particularly true of outside doors that include any glass, which can easily be smashed to aid a thief's entry.

Outside doors are safest when fitted with what is called a "five-lever mortice deadlock". You can buy these in most DIY shops, but be sure to look at the facing plate (that's the bit in the door where the bolt pops out when the key is turned) and for extra piece of mind, you should see a "kite mark" showing the British Standard and the words five-lever, or similar.

In some cases, your external door may not be thick enough for a five-lever mortice lock, as the recommended thickness is 44mm. If it isn't, you should look for a "high security rim deadlock" also carrying the British Standard BS3621.

Door hinges also need to be sturdy as thieves can easily remove them. Make sure they are secured with good long screws, and for extra security fit hinge bolts to reinforce the hinge side of the door against attack.

Glass in doors can be prone to attack but you can minimise the risk by fitting toughened laminated glass (two sheets of glass with a plastic sheet between them).

Security on integral doors is equally as important as on external ones. Doors leading from the inside of the garage to your home for example should also be fitted with 5 lever mortice locks and hinge bolts.

Letterbox

Fit a restrictor to the inside of your letterbox to stop anyone reaching through to release any locks and bolts. Fit a pee

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