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Staying Safe

Where there are issues of community safety we always welcome the input of our residents, for example informing us where a security light or a door entry system to a block of flats is required. We work with the Police on resolving community safety issues and we would be happy to take up any suggestions from you. Please email your suggestions to: safercommunities@haringey.gov.uk

We can all help to bring crime down. Most crimes are against property, are not carefully planned and are committed on the spur of the moment - possessions left in a car or a door or window to a house left open. You can reduce the risk by securing your home and car. This will also help the police, by giving them more time to tackle serious crime. That's good for you and your family - because it makes your neighbourhood a safer place to live in.

Challenging the fear of crime

We must keep things in proportion. Crimes, especially those involving violence are still comparatively rare. The chances that you, or a member of your family will be a victim of crime are low. Nevertheless, many people are frightened that they, or someone close to them, will be the victim of crime.

The best ways to minimise the risks of crime are by taking sensible precautions. Most people already do this as part of their everyday lives, often without realising it. Sensible precautions limit risk and reduce crime. This guide tells you some of the very simple ways that you can reduce crime for yourself and your community.

Personal safety

Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. That way a stranger won't know if a man or a woman lives there.
If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don't go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.
If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your home.
When you answer the phone, simply say 'hello'. Don't give your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.
If you receive an abusive or threatening phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone, and walk away. Come back a few minutes later and replace the receiver; don't listen to see if the caller is still there. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. This allows the caller to say what he or she wants to say, without causing distress to you. If the calls continue, tell the police and the operator and keep a record of the date, time and content of each phone call. This may help the authorities trace the caller.

Your home

Fit locks and use them - crime prevention is everybody’s responsibility!

The most effective way to avoid becoming a victim of residential burglary is to fit good quality locks and to ensure that you use them. If you would like advice about fitting locks and improving the security of your property please contact the Police Crime Prevention Team on 020 8345 2164.

If you are over 60 years and concerned about the security of your property you can contact Metropolitan Care and Repair on 020 8829 8310. They will carry out a security audit of your property and can provide a range of security improvements free of charge. Please visit the Metropolitan Care and Repair website (see the external links section below) for more information

Looking after your home: Make sure your front door is secure and strong. If it isn’t, get another one. If you are a council tenant you can ask for your local council to do it. You can fit hinge bolts that stop someone pulling the door from its hinges and fix a special steel strip into the doorframe.
Door Entry Systems: If your block does not have a telephone entry system, talk to the landlord or council about putting one in. This may be easier if you get together with other tenants to form a tenants' association. If you do have a telephone entry system, don't let strangers in or hold the door open for someone who is arriving as you are leaving.
Strangers: Be alert to people loitering in residential streets. If it is no one you recognise, call the police.
Burglar Alarms: Visible burglar alarms make burglars think twice.
Front Door Roof: A thief could reach first floor windows from this roof - so fit window locks.
Gates and Fences: A high wall or fence at the back of a house can put off burglars. Check for weak spots where a thief could get in. A thorny hedge along a boundary can also be a useful deterrent. Make sure the front of the house is still visible to passers by, so that a burglar can't work unseen.
Small Windows: Even small windows like casement windows, skylights or bathroom fanlights need locks. A thief can get in through any gap larger than a human head.
Spare Keys: Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like under a doormat, in a flowerpot or inside a letterbox.
Garages and Sheds: Never leave a garage or shed unlocked. Lock tools and ladders away so that a thief cannot use them to break in.
Side Passages: Stop a thief getting to the back of the house - where he can work with less chance of being seen - by fitting a high gate across the passage. If you share an alleyway with a neighbour, talk to him or her about sharing the cost.

Immediate telephone response services/home alarms for the elderly and vulnerable

Safe and sound community alarms provide alarms to vulnerable people and offer help to those who may need assistance at very short notice. Following assessment, an alarm will be installed in your home so that you can summon any help which is necessary, including the emergency service and relatives. The alarm is attached to your telephone and is activated by a pendant which you wear. The service is available to clients 24 hours a day.

Aid-call from Age Concern (external link)
Freephone 0800 77 22 66
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5.30pm
Help is at hand 24 hours a day. If you have any kind of accident or feel ill, at any time of day or night, you simply press your emergency button. Aid-call is available immediately, with no waiting list and no means testing. There is a flexible charging policy with a range of payment options.

Seniorlink from Age UK (external link)
Tel: 01709 389 388
Seniorlink is a telephone response alarm, available to buy or rent. Age UK may be able to supply you with one if you are on a low income.

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Inside your home

Make sure your house or flat is secure. Always secure outside doors. Fit barrel locks top and bottom. If you have to use a key, keep it nearby - you may need to get out quickly in the event of fire.

If you feel that your house or flat is not secure, ask the crime prevention officer, based at your local police station, for advice. Although we cannot take responsibility for fitting additional safety measures, we will make sure that windows and doors are in a good state of repair.
If other people such as previous tenants could still have keys that fit, change the locks. Don't give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies.
If you hear an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation. You may want to lie quietly to avoid attracting attention to yourself or you may feel more confident if you switch on the lights and make a lot of noise by moving about. Even if you're on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion - most burglars will flee empty-handed rather than risking a confrontation. Ring the police as soon as it's safe for you to do so. A telephone extension in your bedroom can make you feel more secure.
Draw your curtains after dark and if you think there is a prowler outside - dial 999 - and always tell the operator exactly what is happening.

Car parks

When parking in a public car park - look for one that is well supervised, with restricted entry and exit points, good lighting and security cameras. In multi-storey car parks, choose a widely visible bay.
Car parks can be a target for thieves and a source of fear for many people. A police scheme - 'Secured Car Parks' - aims to make car parks safer, more attractive places - by setting high crime prevention standards of internal design and layout. Those measuring up are entitled to display the official gold or silver 'Secured Car Parks' emblem. To find out about 'Secured Car Parks' in your area, contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station:
- Hornsey, 98 Tottenham Lane, London N8 7EJ
- Tottenham, 398 High Road, London N17 9JA
- Muswell Hill, 115 Fortis Green, London N2 9HW
- Wood Green, 347 High Road, London N22 8HZ
- St Ann’s Road, 289 St Ann’s Road, London N15 5RD
- Police Community Safety Unit - Tel: 020 8345 1941

Our community

There is a lot we can do outside our home and family to prevent crime. We can take action by getting together with other people and working in partnership with the police and the Council to reduce crime in our borough. We can help by simply being alert and observant when out and about in our neighbourhoods - or we could apply to join the local Neighbourhood Watch or Special Constabulary. Anyone can play some part, however great or small.

Roads, footpaths and subways: You can help to maintain a safer environment by reporting to the authorities if streets, footpaths and subways are not well lit.
Home insurance: Does your insurance company offer discounts on home insurance if you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch? If not, try to find an insurance company who does.
Mobile Phones: Every mobile phone has a unique IMEI number. You can dial*#06# to get yours and make a note of it. If your phone is stolen, you can give the IMEI to the police and your service provider.

Young people

Young people, especially young men, are vulnerable to being victims of crime, and young people sometimes suffer bullying, harassment or robbery (particularly theft of mobile phone). The Community Safety Partnership is keen to work with young people to develop youth crime prevention, aiming to prevent young people from becoming victims of crime or anti-social behaviour.