Beating Burglars in Bramley

BBC Look North filming CASAC Burglary Reduction in Bramley

CASAC (Community Action and Support AgainstCrime) has been awarded funding from Leeds City Council’s crime and disorder reduction partnership Safer Leeds. The funding will provide free Target Hardening (increasing security on homes) to properties in Bramley, Leeds.

Initially the project will begin in the Warrells, Henley and Bellmount areas of Bramley. CASAC security engineers and PCSOs from West Yorkshire Police will be visiting properties to arrange a free home security assessment. If security upgrades are needed following the assessment, then these will be fitted free of charge.

Neil Goldup, Chief Executive of CASAC said: “While the dark nights linger on, it is sensible to get an expert check on how secure your home is. CASAC engineers are happy to carry this out and then follow it up with any installation of required security devices such as door and window locks. Both services are free of charge in these areas.”

Commenting on the initiative, Inspector Mark Wheeler of The West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team said, "With the darker nights now upon us, this is a key time to reiterate our message about home security. Whilst your local officers supported by other colleagues continue to conduct both highly visible and covert patrols in the area, it is important that residents take simple steps to further minimise the risk of being the victim of crime. Your local PCSOs are happy to provide crime prevention advice and I urge residents to check their local NPT website for further details."

For a free home security assessment call CASAC on 0845 519 2122 or visit www.casac.org.uk

Watch CASAC on BBC Look North discussing the burglary problem in Leeds and recent target hardening initiatives in Bramley, Leeds.

101 is the New Non-Emergency Contact for West Yorkshire Police

From today, West Yorkshire Police has a new contact number for you to ring when it’s not an emergency.

101 gives the public one easy way to get in touch with the police for calls that do not need an urgent response. 101 is easy to remember and easy to call.

You can call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, ask for crime prevention advice or give the police information. In an emergency always call 999.

When you call the 101 number the operator will take down information about what has happened and, if necessary, arrange an appointment for an officer to come and see you.

It is not the number to call if an emergency is happening and you need an officer to come straight away.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, in charge of the Operations Support Services Department, said: “Switching to the new non-emergency number will make West Yorkshire Police easier to remember and easier to call.

“All calls to 101 cost just 15p, even from a mobile and no matter how long it lasts for.

“101 will in no way replace the 999 emergency number but will instead complement it – one number for emergencies and one for non-emergency situations.”

As well as calling 101 or 999 the public can also contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team, report minor crime online, visit a police station or attend a PACT meeting.
Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired people can use textphone 18001 101.

“101 is just one of the ways we are making ourselves more accessible to the public,” added ACC Milsom. “We want residents to use the new number – and to use it appropriately.”

Last year the Force answered an average of 1,221 emergency (999) calls every day – but one in 10 of these should have either gone to another organisation entirely or to the new 101 number.

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority, said 101 was a significant move to making the police even more accessible.

“101 gives the public a memorable non-emergency number so they can get in touch with West Yorkshire Police,” he said. "It will make crime easier to report and help the police to tackle crime and disorder."

“In our consultation with local communities we know that many people have difficulty remembering the old 0845 number and the idea of a 3-digit code should hopefully solve this problem.”

The move to 101 has the full backing of all Forces in England and Wales and neighbouring Forces across Yorkshire and the Humber are also switching to the new national number during November and December.

If people call the old 0845 6060606 number they will hear a recorded message informing them to ring 101 in future.

If West Yorkshire residents would like their home security upgraded by CASAC then they should call 0845 519 2122 or visit www.casac.org.uk

Community Partnership Initiative Reaches Out To Older Residents

How many times do you receive a telephone call, open your post or turn on your computer to find you have unexpectedly won a prize in a prize draw or lottery? receive a knock at the door from an unwanted salesman? or need advise on money matters, switching utilities and getting the best deals?

A community focused consumer protection campaign funded by Bradford South Area Committee is being delivered by West Yorkshire Trading Standards in the Royds area of Bradford.

This innovative project launched in June and is aimed at raising awareness and empowering the ward’s older adult residents with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves against scammers and fraudsters, rogue traders, doorstep criminals and bogus callers.

It will provide opportunities for individuals and groups to actively participate in education, training and community development and will help them to develop skills, knowledge and experience to actively protect themselves in their home and the community.

To build community capacity, the programme will also include delivering training sessions to PCSOs, Neighbourhood Wardens, and community workers  on doorstep crime activities, scams and frauds, providing longer term support within the community for vulnerable residents. 

The Trading Standards Rapid Response team will also support the programme, providing immediate support where vulnerable residents are involved with rogue/itinerant traders in their home.  Appropriate enforcement action will be taken against those tradespeople found to be operating illegally.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards is also looking for community champions to take part in this project. It is aimed at anybody with an interest in protecting their neighbourhood and becoming an active neighbour. If you are already doing this we would like you to come along to some of our workshops and share your enthusiasm. Volunteers will be trained as ‘community champions’ that will be the eyes and ears of the community alerting Trading Standards to any localised issues.

For more information about the project please contact Suzanne Kitchen on 0113 3939817 or e-mail education@wyjs.org.uk

Euro Profile uPVC Cylinder Door Lock Snapping and Bumping

Euro Profile Lock in Door

Q. What is the problem with Euro Profile Locks? 
A. There is a design weakness in the Euro Profile Cylinder locks that are commonly used on UPVC doors. During recent years burglars have increasingly been using a simple tool to smash the euro profile lock cylinder.

Q. Has this problem been publicised?
A. There have been numerous reports on television and in newspapers about the weakness in these types of locks.

Q. What makes of lock are the most vulnerable?
A. No one particular make of lock is more vulnerable; however all major lock manufacturers are now working hard to find solutions to the problem. If you have a door that is several years old, it is worth having the lock checked and replaced where necessary.

Handle bent back to expose lock

Q. Are there any locks on the market that are more secure?
A. Yes, CASAC have tested a large range of products with West Yorkshire Police and have identified a cylinder which will help withstand this type of attack. CASAC fit these cylinders as standard.

Q. Will these locks prevent forced entry?
A. Although this design of cylinder is not a 100% guarantee of preventing this method of attack on UPVC doors; it will prevent the most common methods, thereby slowing down the burglar’s attempts at entry and making it considerably more difficult; therefore increasing the chance of them giving up.

Q. Do I have to fit a new lock?
A. No, not necessarily; in addition to new locks, there are products called cylinder enhancers or cylinder security to suit UPVC and composite doors. These are a metal surrounds that are secured to the existing cylinder underneath the door handle. ERA’s range is possibly the most secure, with the designs securing through the door to sandwich the cylinder in place, making it virtually impossible to remove the ‘snapped’ cylinder. These devices used in conjunction with a ‘Break Secure’ or ‘Snap Safe’ cylinder will ensure the methods currently being used are ineffective. Euro cylinders that are fitted on door grills cylinder should not protrude on the outside of the grill. If a cylinder does protrude, it needs to be protected by a shroud/escutcheon.

Q. How do I know if my home is at risk?
A. It is recommended that the Euro profile cylinder should not protrude outside of the door furniture any more than 2 - 3mm. If you are in doubt, seek advice from CASAC Burglary Reduction who will provide advice and guidance on security, without any obligation.

Handle snapped and lock broken off

Q. What can I do immediately to reduce the risk?
A. Deadlock doors whenever your home is unattended. Fit and use a door chain on the main entrance door when the house is occupied. If UPVC doors are fitted to other areas, fit additional internal secondary bolts as an alternative to replacing the cylinders.


Through our burglary reduction scheme a CASAC Safety Engineer can advise you on how to make your home more secure and minimise your risk of burglary. You will get a FREE security check and FREE advice on how to improve your security.

You will then be given a no obligation quote for our high quality door/window locks, reinforced handles, door chains, spy holes and many other security measures. Our Safety Engineer will then fit the measures that you choose at competitive rates.

Our burglary reduction scheme has proven to reduce burglary and repeat burglary in over 55,000 properties.

If you would like a free assessment please call the CASAC Team on: 0845 519 2122 or enquire online

CASAC nominated as finalist in Security Excellence Awards

CASAC(Community Action and Support Against Crime) have been selected as finalists in the ‘Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector’ category at the Security Excellence Awards 2011.

CASAC is the only organisation to be shortlisted in the ‘Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector’ category from Yorkshire and the North of England.

The Security Excellence Awards have run for thirteen years and are considered the Oscars of the security industry. Every October over 1,000 of the industry’s foremost practitioners gather to recognise and honour the achievements of their peers in the security management, installation, consultancy and manufacturing sub-sectors.

CASACs chief executive Neil Goldup first started to address a problem with cheaper Euro Profile door cylinder locks being broken by burglars 4 years ago. It was discovered that the door lock standards at the time were not fit for purpose. Led by CASAC and West Yorkshire Police, a new cylinder lock was developed by a local company to combat the problem.

The newly developed Euro Cylinder door lock fitted by CASAC is accredited by Sold Secure, they are dedicated to reducing the risk of crime by assessing security products to set standards. BSI Standards is the UK's National Standards Body, they are developing a new standard tailored especially for cylinder door locks. The new standard is to be introduced shortly following input from CASAC and the West Yorkshire Police.

Said Neil Goldup, Chief Executive of CASAC: “Being nominated for the Security Excellence Awards 2011 is a great honour for us. It’s reassuring to know that the Euro Cylinder door lock problem is finally beginning to be recognised on a National Level after 4 years. CASAC continue to work hard with our partners to eradicate this problem in Yorkshire and ultimately reduce crime in the region and beyond.”

Neil Goldup, CEO of CASAC

 The awards gala is held on the 19th of October at London’s prestigious Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.

For further information about CASAC or if you require a CASAC security engineer to inspect your door locks and home security call 0845 519 2122 or visit www.casac.org.uk

Digital Switchover in West Yorkshire

The biggest change to hit our TV screens since the introduction of colour comes to Yorkshire this year when the region goes digital.The Emley Moor transmitter, where most viewers in the Leeds area receive their TV signal, switches from September 7 with the process completing on September 21. It means that the old analogue signal will be switched off for good, replaced with a digital signal, and everyone will need to ensure that all their sets are ready for the change. 

Check Point, the vetted tradesperson scheme run by CASAC has approved aerial installers around West Yorkshire. You can arrange for someone to check your TV equipment by calling 0845 838 8851 or visiting http://www.casac.org.uk/casac-check-point

There’s plenty of support for people who need help and Digital UK, the not-for-profit organisation leading the switchover, is working with housing organisations and others to help people understand the changes and offer impartial advice. Here are some handy hints to help prepare for the switch.

• Check your switchover dates. Although most people will be watching from Emley Moor, some residents may receive their signal from a different transmitter and might switch on a different date

• You do not need to buy a new television for the switch-over. Every TV will convert to digital, even very old, black and white sets or ones without a SCART connection.

• However you may need to get a digital box if you have an analogue TV (one that has five channels or fewer) and do not have either a freeview system or satellite package.

• If you do not adjust your equipment, you will lose your existing channels when the switchover takes place. And people watching on Freeview will need to retune their sets on both switchover dates (Sept 7 and Sept 21). This does not apply to people watching on satellite or cable.

• Most existing aerials should be fine. Fewer than 10 per cent of households will need a new aerial. There is no such thing as a ‘digital’ aerial.

• Video and analogue DVD players will stay play back and record, but they won’t be able to record one channel while you watch another. For this you will need a digital TV recorder.

• Check what digital services are available in your area. There are a number of ways to get digital television:

1. Through a satellite dish (Sky or freesat from Sky or Freesat from BBC/ITV)
2. Through an aerial (Freeview or Top Up TV)
3. Through a cable (Virgin Media)
4. Through a telephone line (Talk Talk TV)
5. Through an aerial and phone line (BT Vision)

Further help and advice can be found on the Digital UK website www.digitaluk.co.uk or call the advice line on 08456 50 50 50 for more help with retuning and other switchover issues.

If you are over 75, have a disability, are registered blind or partially-sighted, or have lived in a care home for six months or more, you can get practical help from the Switchover Help Scheme to convert one television to digital.

If you are eligible for the Help Scheme you should have received an information pack and application form but if you would like more information, go to helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900

CASAC Nominated for SEYH Social Impact Award

CASAC (Community Action and Support Against Crime) was nominated for the SEYH (Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber) ‘Social Impact Award’ at the SEYH awards ceremony on Wednesday 2nd March at the Doncaster Trades Club.

The Social Impact award is for organisation’s that have made a measurable impact in 2010.

CASAC were selected as runners up for the award, with DWDT (Doncaster West Development Trust) winning. DWDT was established in 1993 to work alongside local people to create a more sustainable future within communities through developing community economic regeneration projects.

The awards ceremony was attended by Carla and Peter from CASAC (Pictured below), who collected a framed certificate. Being nominated for the award was an honor and CASAC will continue to offer its high levels of service across the West Yorkshire district.  

Right: Carla. Inside Right: Peter

Top Home Security Tips

All CASAC Burglary Reduction clients are provided with free security advice to help them secure their homes. Many of the ideas are simple - making your home more secure need not cost a lot.

A lot of burglaries can be prevented by using simple common sense. Follow the CASAC top security tips below to make sure your property is secure:

• Before you leave your property, make sure that all windows and doors are secured. An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars.
• Do not leave any windows open unless you are in the room.
• Never tell anyone that you are on your own.
• Keep the door locked at all times and remove the key. Even if you are only in the garden, keep your door locked!
• Always use door viewers/chains (if fitted) when answering the door in order to check the identity of the caller. Make sure you check ID properly.
• Do not leave door chains on – only use when answering the door.
• Only deal with people by appointment & phone the company they are from to confirm ID.
• Do not use the phone number on their ID badge, find it in the phone book or from a reliable source.
• If work needs to be done in your home choose a trustworthy tradesman – try calling CASAC Check Point on 0845 838 8851
• Keep any spare keys to the property in a safe place and out of sight.
• Don’t leave car keys close to a door or window where someone could access them easily. Keep them in a draw, or upstairs.
• Never leave clues that you are away from home, cancel milk and paper deliveries if you are going away, on holiday or into hospital.
  

If you have any further questions, please contact the CASAC Burglary Reduction Team on 0845 519 2122 or email