Police Scotland has issued a housebreaking prevention alert ahead of Sunday, October 25, warning that "darker nights are drawing in" and urging residents to prepare now to prevent break-ins.
In its "housebreaking prevention advice," the Edinburgh division posted on Facebook: "With the clocks going back this Sunday, October 25, now is the time to check your home security, including gardens, sheds and garages."
The advice applies to everyone, whether they live in a flat, bungalow, home or townhouse, and includes "a few simple steps that can help keep your home and belongings safe."
Key steps to secure your property
Recommended measures include trimming back shrubs that block security lights or CCTV, and checking that outdoor lights and cameras are working properly. Residents should also ensure garden gates, sheds and garages are secure.
Police advise locking tools away securely and ensuring any bikes and other garden equipment are properly secured with a lock. Door and window locks should meet recognised security standards, and the force suggests considering alarms and other additional security measures to help protect property.
Expert warnings on seasonal burglary risk
Police Scotland is not the only source of warnings ahead of October 25. A BBC Morning Live expert has warned that properties could face a greater danger now than at other times of the year.
Former detective and Crimewatch Live presenter Rav Wilding, a former Metropolitan police officer, said on the BBC show on October 1 that more burglaries happen in autumn and winter "largely due to the darkness, especially when the clocks change. We are going to have more hours of darkness than we do light."
In the UK, clocks go back one hour on Sunday, October 25 at 2am, marking the end of British Summer Time (BST) and the return of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Wilding explained: "The dark is easy for a burglar to hide, not be detected, not to be seen - to go out, do what they want and get out. So that's largely the reason and it's only going to get worse."
Highlighting that darkness will set in from as early as 4pm over the coming months, Wilding said BBC Morning Live spoke to Hertfordshire Police Force, who noted a spike in burglaries during autumn, a trend echoed by multiple police forces across the country.
What to do if a break-in happens
Police Scotland states: "When someone breaks into your house or garden it's sometimes called breaking and entering, or housebreaking. We will always call it 'housebreaking' when you speak to us. Stealing doesn't always happen in a break-in or housebreaking. It's still a crime even if nothing is stolen."
If you think someone has broken into your house or garden, you should not go inside in case the intruder is still there. Police Scotland advises going to a neighbour or safe place, calling 999 if you think the intruder is still there, or calling 101 or filling in their online form if the intruder has gone.
Victim Support can provide support after a break-in, helping with the police, insurance, and other processes. Additional support is available from Secured by Design for security standards and certified products, Sold Secure for certified security products, the Master Locksmith's Association for local locksmiths and lock standards, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland for community support, Immobilise for recording valuables, and Victim Support Scotland, which can be reached at 0800 160 1985.
