More trees than people and a reputation for being a low-crime suburban haven, Sutton Coldfield is one of the best places in the UK to live. It might only be an 18-minute drive into Birmingham, but the big city feels like a million miles away from the tranquillity of Sutton. Unfortunately, nowhere is 100% safe from criminals, and Sutton Coldfield residents have seen some increases in the number of home burglaries and property-related crime in the last few years. If you live in Sutton Coldfield, don't assume that the low crime rate means that you're not at risk. Here are some of the most common crimes in the leafy suburban borough and how you can protect yourself and your property from them.
Burglaries
Some of the UK's most expensive homes are in Sutton Coldfield, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that burglars are willing to visit. There are a lot more home burglaries than you might think too. There were 43 in October 2020 alone, but there have been some sudden spikes that took the police and the public by surprise in recent years. April 2019 saw 84 burglaries. According to police, burglars' most common tactic to break into homes in Sutton Coldfield is lock-snapping. Keeping your home more secure against the threat of burglaries means making sure that you have locks that are anti snap and making sure that you never leave keys' hidden around your property. Burglars tend to find them and know where to look. Keep your home locked and secure at all times, and you make it much harder for them to target your property, meaning they will be more likely to move on.
Car Theft
There has been a huge spike in car thefts in Sutton Coldfield, with the vast majority of those thefts coming as part of a burglary. Criminals break into homes and take whatever they can, and that includes your car keys and your car. October 2020 highlights the issues, with 10 break-ins that resulted in the theft of a car. In some cases, the cars are found and returned to the owner, but usually, those cars are never seen again or found burnt-out by the side of a road. As well as keeping your home safe with more secure locks, it's always a good idea to have some additional home security in place. Security cameras are more affordable than ever and can be more than enough to deter criminals from driving away with your vehicle.
Bicycle Theft
There are some great cycling trails in Sutton, and steps seem to be constantly taking place to make cycling in the town itself as safe as possible. Bike theft is often an opportunistic crime, with those bike thieves simply seeing an unlocked bicycle, jumping on it, and cycling away. Others may be on the prowl specifically for your unlocked and unsecured bike and may even have tools that allow them to break through a flimsy bike lock, or to quickly undo wheels and seats, making removing the bike lock incredibly easy. Ideally, you should invest in a D-Lock, and make sure that you know how to install it for maximum protection. Remember that you need to use your bike lock at home as much as when you're out and about. That opportunistic thief might take your bicycle along as they flee your property. With an average of between one and six bike thefts every month in Sutton Coldfield, locking your bike up should become a habit.
Home security should always be a priority. No matter how tranquil Sutton Coldfield might feel, criminals will always be drawn to the area. From anti-snap locks and security cameras to ensuring that your belongings are safely locked away and out of view, protecting your home in Sutton Coldfield is simply the smart option.
