Hello all.

I just wanted to send a timely reminder about home security.

This time of year most of us have a living room that resembles a shop with all those expensive presents under the tree waiting to be opened however, we only want them opened by the person they're addressed to and not a burglar!

Same advice as previous MCV posts, please make sure your CCTV cameras are charged and that your subscription is up to date, or your memory card isn't full up. 

Dust the lenses off from time to time especially the spider webs as these 8 legged creatures are a burglar's best friend because it makes night-time footage very hard to see!

If you have security lights ensure that they are working and are covering the most vulnerable areas of your property.

Consider timers for your internal lights and close curtains/blinds etc if you're out so that it looks like someone is in, even if you're out in the daytime it's still a good idea to make it difficult to see in from the outside so that would-be burglars can't see where the presents are but don't make it too obvious that you are out.

If you've got a burglar alarm, use it every-time you go out and when you go to bed.

Even after Christmas, try not to leave clues about what nice new things are in your home by carefully discarding packaging etc, try not to leave empty boxes propped up against wheelie bins as this is an advert for what you have indoors.

As I said, this is just a reminder so no need for concern, but we have to be on our guard especially at this time of year, let's not make someone else's Christmas any better by them stealing our hard earned gifts!

If you see anyone acting suspiciously and they're still in the area ring 999, the call taker will triage what you are witnessing and will assess whether or not a police car attends on blue lights, if it doesn't warrant a 999 call then please report it via the Kent Police website using the ‘online reporting tool’ ‘live chat’ or as a last resort dial 101 and don't forget, you can email me in addition to this at 13183@kent.police.uk

My colleagues and I will still be patrolling the Marsh over the Christmas period.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful time over the holiday period whatever you're doing.

Thank you.

Steve.