Christmas Shopping Safety

Christmas shoppers across the Kingdom are being urged to remain vigilant.

Police say opportunist thieves regularly prey on people using cash machines, as well as handbags and wallets.

Motorists are also being urged to lock gifts in the boot to ensure they're not seen.

• Use cash machines in well lit, non-secluded areas and stay alert.  Check the machine hasn’t been tampered with, hide your PIN, beware of who’s behind you and keep your cash out of view.
• When you’re out Christmas shopping, you might not realise how much all the presents you’re carrying around with you are worth – look after your shopping bags and don’t leave them out your view.
• If you’re driving to the shops, park your car in a busy, well-lit area. Don’t keep any presents you’ve bought in the car for longer than you have to and always keep them out of view.
• Ensure your bag is closed and your purse or wallet is not easily accessible when not being used.

Anyone who leaves their car in daylight and doesn’t plan to return until after dark should think ahead and park where there is good street lighting.

• All car doors should be locked and property should never be in open view. Remove it from the vehicle or lock it out of sight in the boot.
• Portable sat nav systems should be removed from the car if it is being left unoccupied and drivers should also remove the cradle and suction pads and remember to wipe any suction marks from the windscreen or dashboard.
• Use an alarm or immobiliser if the vehicle has one. If not, consider having one fitted.
• Importantly, people should get in to the habit of always locking the car doors every time they leave the car, whether on the garage forecourt, outside a shop, or unloading the car or defrosting it outside the home address. An opportunist thief can strike in seconds.

With regard to home security – and this is a time of year when there are more valuable items at home than at any other time of year – please take every sensible precaution to ensure you are not a victim of crime.

• Thieves know that over Christmas there will be high value presents and maybe more cash in your house than normal.  Keep your home secure - lock all windows and doors, don’t leave gifts in view of the windows and keep cash in your home to a minimum.
• If you’re going away for Christmas, keep your home secure.  Lock all windows and doors, set your house alarm if you have one, use timers on lights, cancel any deliveries and ask a neighbour or friend you trust to keep an eye out while you’re away.
• If you’re having a house party with lots of guests, it can be all too easy for a thief to slip in unnoticed.  Make sure you know everyone who is there.  If you’re going to a party, don’t let anyone tailgate you into a house or through a controlled entry door by assuming they’re a guest.
• Protect any gifts you’ve bought for your friends and family.  Get them to register mobiles, tablets, laptops and cameras at www.immobilise.com.  Don’t give them a good quality bike without giving them a good quality lock, and register bikes at www.BikeRegister.com.

Officers are also reminding the public to also consider their online security.

• Think before you post photos of your Christmas night out online.  What may seem funny in private could embarrass or humiliate someone in public.  If in doubt, don’t click.
• When shopping online, make sure your web browser and internet security is up to date.  Check the website payment page is secure and look for the padlock in the address line before you enter any card details.
• If you’re buying your child a mobile or tablet for Christmas, think about how you can keep them safe online.
• If you’ll be away from home over Christmas or even just out and about, be careful about what you say on social networking sites – don’t let thieves know your house will be empty.

 
Tayside Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith said :
 
"We hope that everyone has a great time this Christmas and New Year, but remember thieves won't be taking a holiday.  

"Be aware and alert at all times, whether it be out shopping or taking a few simple measures to protect your home or car, don't let them spoil it for you. Anyone who witnesses a crime or any suspicious activity should call Police Scotland on 101."