Maidstone Borough Council and the police working together to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour


The police, Maidstone Borough Council and other agencies work to reduce crime and disorder, increase community reassurance and to ensure that Maidstone remains a safe place to live and work in and to visit. In this issue of Borough Update we look at how to keep safe this winter.


Keeping winter burglars out in the cold


Maidstone continues to be a safe place to live but national police statistics show that as the winter nights draw in, crimes such as residential burglary are more likely. Here are some useful tips to help banish winter burglars;


1. Make sure your house looks well-lit from the outside. Use an automatic timer switch on a couple of indoor lights. A visible light in the living room and a bedroom gives the impression that someone is in. Regularly change the timing on the switch


2. Keep all your keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach. Don’t leave any keys near to your letterbox or cat-flap where a burglar can hook them out


3. Put a timer switch on the radio – the sound will also give the impression that the house is occupied


4. ‘Property mark’ all household items of value. Thieves will be deterred by the fact that marked property is difficult to sell on


5. Secure windows, paying particular attention to those on the ground floor and above flat roof areas


Christmas recycling


This Christmas people in the UK will generate an extra three million tonnes of rubbish and use 83 square km of wrapping paper - that’s enough to cover almost 7,000 football pitches. Here are our tips to reduce, reuse and recycle your festive rubbish.


Wrapping paper and cardboard packaging can be recycled in your green recycling bin or black box.


Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at bottle banks around the borough.


Mobile phones can be recycled at Oxfam shops.


Real Christmas trees can be recycled at our household waste recycling centre at Burial Ground Lane, Tovil, or you can put them out with your garden bin or green garden waste sacks.


Christmas cards can be recycled in your green recycling bin or black box.


6. Ensure the gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and secure


7. Don’t forget to lock your shed


8. Trim overgrown plants – don’t give burglars a hiding place


9. Use a house alarm and make sure you set it every time you go out


10. If you notice anything suspicious in your area report it to;


 The local neighbourhood policing team on 01622 604390, (to report an actual crime call 01622 690690)


Maidstone Community Safety Unit on 01622 602000 or


 Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111  In an emergency always call 999


Christmas food top tips


 Clean your fridge and freezer before stocking up for Christmas and don't overstock them.


 Frozen and chilled foods from the shops should be put away as soon as you get home.


 Food should be stored separately in covered containers and wrapped properly. Store raw food below ready to eat food.


Wash your hands before and after handling food, touching pets, coughing or sneezing.


 Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw meat.  Always thaw frozen turkeys or other poultry fully before cooking.


 Ideally, cook your stuffing separately, but if you do stuff the bird make sure you take the added weight into account when calculating your cooking time.


 Ensure there are no pink bits left and juices run clear after cooking poultry, sausages or chopped meat and always serve piping hot.


 Make sure hot food cools before putting in a fridge and don't leave leftovers out.


 Don’t re-heat food more than once and don't keep leftovers for more than two days. Visit lovefoodhatewaste.com for recipes using leftover food.


For more information call Maidstone council’s food safety team on 01622 602202 or visit the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk


www.maidstonesdream.co.uk


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