How to Prevent Crime in Your Community

No one wants to feel unsafe in their own home, or in their neighbourhood. The first step to fixing that feeling is to install SimpliSafe systems, or outdoor and indoor cameras – but that doesn’t stop criminals from scoping out the street or the town you live in. Community-based crime prevention is a tactic gaining momentum, and can be an effective way to stop crime before it even starts. 

Here are seven tactics you can use to adopt these techniques for your own home.

1. Get to know your neighbours

Strong communities are built on bonds of trust and familiarity. When neighbours know each other, they are more likely to look out for each other such as through checking in regularly, reporting unfamiliar cars and strange behaviour, and even by supporting people going through difficult times that might otherwise turn to crime. 

You can get to know your neighbours by inviting them round for tea, or by joining local organisations.

2. Join or start a Neighbourhood Watch Group

Neighbourhood Watch is an organisation created by, and for, people like you; people that want to keep their homes, families, belongings, and community safe. It isn’t a top-down organisation that opens new branches where they think there's a need for one; groups are started and run by local community members. 

You can quickly check if there’s a Neighbourhood Watch group in your area already with their postcode checker. And if there isn’t one, don’t worry: it’s easy to start your own, with plenty of advice and support on offer to help you get started. You can learn more from their own step by step guide here.

3. Install a visible home security system

Visible deterrents like cameras and wall-mounted alarms have been the go-to security measure for decades, and for good reason. All criminals prefer easy targets. If they can see that your house is protected with two-way HD video cameras, for example, they may be more likely to try and find one that isn’t.

Security systems are good for community crime prevention, too. Video doorbells record footage that may come in useful during police investigations, for example. If even just a few houses on a street have visible security systems, it sends a clear message: this is a community that looks out for itself.

4. Report suspicious activity

If something feels off, it’s better to report than ignore. Suspicious activity might look like someone hanging around the area for no apparent reason, a car that keeps circling the block, or someone acting out of place. Rather than letting your concerns dissipate, report them to your local Neighbourhood Watch group or directly to the police if necessary.

You don’t need to report anything and everything you see – but if you do see something unusual like someone loitering or a car passing by over and over, you can report it to fellow Neighbourhood Watch members, to other community groups, or even to the police if it’s something serious. 

5. Keep your property well-lit

Dark, poorly-lit spaces make it easier for criminals to approach your home without being seen. That’s why outdoor lighting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter crime, working with the simple premise that criminals would rather stick to the shadows.

Lighting can work well in combination with outdoor security cameras/video doorbells, and may even encourage neighbours to look and see what prompted the switch on. Motion-activated lights in particular have the element of surprise – not only can they shine a spotlight on any criminal unfortunate enough to be lit up by one, but the fact that they suddenly turn on can draw even more attention. 

6. Keep lines of communication open

A big part of the community-led crime prevention process is keeping everyone informed by sharing regular updates. The easiest way is through Facebook, Whatsapp, or Nextdoor groups, where you can pass along information – like recent suspicious activity, areas to avoid after dark, or tips on keeping homes secure. These kinds of everyday conversations help everyone stay alert and aware, and they create a stronger sense of connection across your community. 

7. Work with the local police team

Beyond what you can do on a community level, you can also build strong links with your local police team. Attend meetings and community events, for example, and share concerns about any patterns you’ve noticed like repeated vandalism or particular areas that feel unsafe. Feedback and cooperation with the local community are vitally important in helping the police do their jobs to the best of their ability.

Take control with SimpliSafe

Now you know how to help prevent crime in the community, take some first steps: take a look through our selection of indoor and outdoor security cameras, security systems, video doorbells, and more. Find out more about our home security systems today by shopping now or contacting a member of our helpful team today.