Stop by the Christmas safety shop!

Following on from the success of last year's crime house in Bushey, Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will be taking over an empty shop in Borehamwood to help people stay safe during the festive season.

From Monday 7 to Friday 11 December, local organisations including the police, fire service and council, will be inside 10 Leeming Road to give tips on fire safety, crime prevention and drug awareness.

The shop's opening hours are 2pm to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 5pm to 7pm on Thursday.

The SAFE Project home security service, Hertsmere Neighbourhood Watch and Hertsmere Substance Misuse Group will also be on hand to give advice.

Councillor John Donne, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: "The idea of the safety shop is for residents to drop in for tips on how to stay safe during the festive fortnight.

"Traditionally more crime can take place at this time of year such as burglaries, but there are things you can do - such as keeping presents out of sight in cars and homes - to reduce your chances of being targeted."

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Paul Purvis said: "We have been working hard to educate residents about keeping themselves and their possessions safe as Christmas tends to be a time for opportunist thieves to strike.

"We are also carrying out high-visibility patrols under Operation Guardian - our anti-burglary initiative.  We hope that these measures and the safety shop will help make sure everyone has a memorable Christmas for all the right reasons."

Free goodies will also be offered at the shop such as tax disc holders and key rings as well as information leaflets.

Top tips for staying safe this Christmas include:

• keep presents out of sight in cars and homes
• don't leave any boxes or packaging from expensive gifts on show outside
• lock doors and windows
• don't leave burning candles unattended
• don't drink or take recreational drugs and drive.

If you would like to speak to your neighbourhood officer or PCSO, please call the non-emergency number on 0845 33 00 222 - if you see a crime in progress, dial 999.