Security beefed up at empty shops (From The Northern Echo)

Security beefed up at empty shops

5:56pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Bishop Auckland News

VACANT shops and houses are being fitted with alarms to deter trespassers and burglars as part of a crackdown on metal thefts.

Bishop Auckland’s neighbourhood policing team is working with other agencies as part of the Pride in Dene Valley project.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues affecting the community of Dene Valley.

One of the project’s main priorities is to stop empty properties being burgled by people on the hunt for scrap metal.

Police are working with Durham County Council, Accent Housing, Durham County Housing Association and the Wear Valley Private Landlords Association and have received funding from the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership.

Partnership liaison officer Ian Martin said: “The funding has been used to purchase a number of void property alarms which have already been deployed in several vacant properties in the area.

“A unique polycarbonate window and door system by Shutter Up will be used on some properties to replace the unsightly metal or wooden boards to improve the visual image of the area.

“Smart Water kits have also been supplied to a number of residents in the area with further kits being issued to residents and victims of crime in the future.”

Anyone with information on metal thefts is asked to call the police’s non-emergency line on 101.