Warning homeowners to be vigilant and to take extra precautions with home security was the message being delivered by Paddy Harney in Athlone yesterday.
The recent CPO figures suggest that domestic robberies in the area are up by nearly 23%.
"Homeowners are easy prey for robbers right now because they take so few precautions. Remember that most crimes of this nature are opportunistic so there are measures that can be taken to obstruct or reduce criime in the are" said Harney
Continued Harney "now I obviously have a vested interest in this but I see myself every day, the devastating effect that crime has on people. Just do the following:
1. Never leave the house unlocked
2. Have the correct locks on your doors - its not something to skimp on.
3. Burglars are concentrating on the cylinders in the door locks and this is easily prevented.
4. Use your alarm by day and night
5. Leave lights on.
Harney is recommending that all external doors be fitted with break secure cylinders as a minimum coupled with deadlocks
