Residents ask to heighten security awareness for Christmas & holiday season
The Police are appealing to residents and visitors to heighten their security awareness, as they enter the busy periods of the Christmas and Holiday season.
Residents can also expect to see an increase in police patrols around the city and the various communities in an effort of ensuring the safety and security of all.
Additionally, the police are issuing several useful Crime Prevention Safety Tips to assist in keeping members of the public safe. The Tips are as follows:
- Residents should pay attention to their surroundings at all times; taking into consideration their safety and the safety of others.
- Avoid listening to music on headphones whilst walking alone, and try to use well-lit and busy areas at night.
- If it is not necessary, avoid moving around with large amounts of cash, and do not expose large amounts of money or other valuable items, such as jewelry in public.
- Be on the alert for counterfeit currency. In the event you come in possession of counterfeit currency, report the matter to the police without delay.
- Beware of “Pickpockets” or “Bag-snatchers” during this Christmas Season. Ensure all valuables and monies are properly secured.
- Be extremely cautious when using Automated Teller Machines. Ensure that no one is loitering too close when inserting your PIN or withdrawing cash.
- Likewise, avoid distractions when removing your ATM card and cash from the machine, and do not count money until you are at a safe place to do so.
- Desist from leaving valuable items in plain view of the public inside a vehicle, and always ensure that vehicles are properly locked.
- Homeowners are to ensure their homes are properly secured by using quality locks on all windows and doors.
- Likewise, household items such as washing machines, cooking gas cylinders, bicycles, tools, and other valuable items should be properly secured around the house.
- The Police are also appealing to residents who are constructing homes to pay regular visits to construction sites to ensure building materials are accounted for and remain secured.
- Vegetable and Livestock Farmers are equally encouraged to visit their farms more frequently during this period and report any suspicious activities or theft to the police without delay.
- Beware of fraudsters. Pay keen attention to anyone purporting to be a salesman or acting as an agent for a company or government department. Ask for proper identification before engaging that person or allowing them onto your property.
- Be cautious against Online Fraud. Avoid suspicious and online transactions that require you to either provide credit (top-up) to mobile phones or disclose sensitive information without doing proper background checks.
- Members of the public are advised against purchasing items that are believed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
If you have information about any suspicious activity, kindly contact the nearest police station or the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or, call Crimestoppers at 800-Tips (8477).
The cooperation and support of every citizen will greatly assist the police in their efforts during this Holiday Season.
The Commissioner of Police encourages all to have an enjoyable and incident-free Christmas Season
This story was first published by Antigua News on December 12, 2022: antigua.news/2022/12/12/residents-ask-to-heighten-security-awareness-for-christmas-holiday-season. © 2022 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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