Many people assume that crime prevention is solely the responsibility of the Police Service. Crime prevention is, in fact, the responsibility of every person resident in Bermuda. The public has a duty to assist the Police Service when called upon to do so, and to take precautions to safeguard their property, their families and themselves.

The Bermuda Crime Prevention Unit was established in 1977 as an advisory arm of the Police Service to offer security advice and recommendations to individuals and businesses, to monitor trends in crime, to keep the public abreast of those trends and to establish and maintain crime prevention programmes. Members of the Unit also produce the Police Service’s crime prevention literature, give talks to interested groups and visit homes and businesses to conduct ‘on site’ security reviews.

ADVISORY BROCHURES
Home Security: A basic home security brochure offering advice on how to secure doors, windows, the outside of your home and the valuables inside your home.

Fold-Out Home Security Chart: Depicted on the chart is an imaginary Bermuda home containing every type of door and window currently found in Island homes. Advice is given on how to secure the whole house.

Neighbourhood Watch: This brochure explains the concept of Neighbourhood Watch, how to go about establishing a group and what is involved once a group is formed.

What Is Child Abuse?: A brochure outlining the various forms of child abuse. How to recognise victims and abusers and a list of available help groups.

Protecting Your Child: Practical advice to prevent children from becoming victims of abuse and molestation. How to help and support an abused child.

Business Security: Advice of a general nature for the business community concerning the physical security of their properties, outside lighting, burglar alarm systems and how to properly install security bars.

Shoplifting Prevention: Besides identifying those persons most likely to shoplift this brochure offers basic advice to deter would-be thieves. It also deals with the procedures to follow when detaining a suspected shoplifter.

Cheque Forging: General advice on cheque forging together with guidelines for accepting cheques in the course of business.

Counterfeit Currency: Everybody resident in Bermuda should have some idea of how to distinguish genuine money from counterfeit. This brochure deals with both Bermuda and United States currency.

Security Advice For Women: Offers advice to women of all ages and gives common-sense suggestions on what to do in a variety of given situations. Also explains how to give a good description to Police.

Senior Citizens Advice: Common sense advice for Bermuda’s senior citizens. The brochure deals with security aspects on the street, when arriving home and in the home itself.

OTHER LITERATURE
Policy On Intruder Alarms: A manual for those persons and businesses which have alarm systems linked either directly to Police or a central station.

SELF ADHESIVE LABELS
‘Check Those Cheques’ Cards: Advice at a glance when accepting cheques in the course of business. Designed to be placed directly onto cash registers or immediately beside them.

‘Neighbourhood Watch’ Decals: For affixing to the exterior of doors and windows of homes in Police approved Neighbourhood Watch groups.

POLICE POSTERS
Posters are available on the following subjects:
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Home Security
• ‘U’ Mark
• The Children’s Code
• Thefts from Handbags
• Shoplifting
• Home Security Chart

Brochures and bicycle identity cards may be obtained from all Police Stations and Public Libraries. ‘U’ Mark decals, ‘Check Those Cheques’ decals and ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ decals may be obtained together with posters from the Police Crime Prevention Unit. The ‘Policy on Intruder Alarms’ manual is normally distributed to subscribers by their alarm companies.

SERVICES OF THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT
Talks: Members of the Unit are available to give talks to the general public and interested groups on any crime prevention matter whether the subject is Neighbourhood Watch, shoplifting, home security or of a more general nature.

Security Surveys: Crime Prevention officers will visit your home or place of business upon request and give you written recommendations on any aspect of crime prevention.

‘U’ Marking: Electrical engravers for ‘U’ marking your property may be borrowed free of charge from any Police Station. This programme allows you to mark your own property.

If you would like members of the Police Crime Prevention Unit to conduct a security survey of your property or to give a talk on any crime-related matter, telephone 299-4246 or 299-4331 to make an appointment. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of crime prevention or to seek general advice, then do not hesitate to call.

All services of the Crime Prevention Unit and all Police brochures, decals, posters and other types of literature are available free of charge.