Operation Magpie: Lock it. Zip it. Keep it.

The nights are drawing in and social calendars are starting to get busier - and we know thieves won't be slowing down, either.  

That's why we're reminding everyone to Lock it. Zip it. Keep it. 

The message is part of Operation Magpie, our campaign to help you steer clear of thieves with some top tips from the dedicated Crime Prevention Team on keeping your belongings safe, both out and about and at home .

We are also encouraging people to follow our social media pages on Facebook and Next Door, where we will be posting advice throughout the autumn and winter. Here are our top tips:

• Don’t leave handbags or other valuables unattended in bars, restaurants or clubs, even if you’re nearby. Thieves only need seconds.
• Be mindful of what you are posting on social media. If your friends and family know when you are going out, so could a criminal.
• Be aware of who is around you at the cash machine; cover the keypad with your hand before entering a pin; and put cash away immediately. 
• Keep wallets, purses and phones in a zipped pocket or bag, and not in your back pocket.
• Don’t make your home a shop window -  make sure  you don’t leave valuables in view at your home, and lock windows and doors (even if you are home). 
• Do not keep large sums of cash at your property. If this is unavoidable, ensure it is locked away in a safe.
• Always lock your vehicle and never leave anything on view, such as Sat Navs, wallets, presents, or cash.
• When you get home, place your keys and wallets away from letterboxes, either in a drawer or upstairs. If you can, use a Faraday bag to protect bank cards and electronic keys.

Operation Magpie supports the work we're doing for Beating Burglary Together to help you reduce your risk of burglary. 

Tackling opportunistic crime is a force-wide effort, and both initiatives are supported by activity from officers in our Neighbourhood Policing Teams, who work proactively each day with community groups, residents, businesses and licensed premises to provide advice on crime prevention measures, and prevent issues developing in their towns and villages.

You will see officers patrolling their communities at peak times as a deterrent to thieves who may try to take advantage of busy shopping centres, visitor attractions, and bars and restaurants. They are supported by officers from our Response teams, CID, dog units, and tactical teams - to name a few - who respond swiftly to incidents and investigate crime and keep people safe.

Follow our tips to give yourself the best chance of steering clear of criminals,. If you come across anything suspicious, please contact 101 or 999 in an emergency.