Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch

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Staying Safe at Christmas

Staying Safe at Christmas: Practical Ways to Protect Yourself, Your Home and Your Community

Written in partnership with Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch, Derbyshire Police Crime Intelligence Unit and NACT Burglary

Christmas should feel like a time to relax a little. A chance to enjoy family, switch off from work, wrap presents in front of the tree and take a deep breath after a long year. But the reality is that the festive season can also create conditions that make people, homes and vehicles more vulnerable. Dark evenings, busy shops, parcels arriving at all hours, gifts piling up, late nights out, and homes left empty while we visit friends and family — it all adds up.

The good news is that a few simple habits can make a real difference. They don’t take long, they don’t involve expensive equipment, and they’re the kinds of precautions our police burglary teams and Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch volunteers put into practice themselves. This guide is here to help you stay safe, stay aware, and enjoy Christmas without that nagging feeling that something has been overlooked.

Keeping Your Home Safe Over Christmas

Hide presents from view

It’s an easy oversight at this time of year, but stacked gifts under the tree — especially if your tree sits near a front window — can be visible from the street. It’s a temptation you don’t need. Keep wrapped presents out of sight until the big day, and avoid displaying valuable items where they can be seen from outside.

Deal with packaging carefully

New TVs, gaming consoles, tablets, laptops — their packaging tells a very clear story of what’s inside your home.

Break boxes down completely and hide them inside your bins or recycling. If your bins are stored outdoors, put packaging out as close to collection day as possible, or keep them in a locked garage or outbuilding until then.

Close curtains when it gets dark

Even if you’re at home. It protects your privacy and stops anyone passing by from seeing exactly what’s inside and whether anyone’s in.

Lights, locks and alarms

If you’re going out — whether it’s for 20 minutes or all evening — double check:

  • All doors are locked (front, back and side).
  • Windows are fully closed, not left on the latch.
  • Outdoor sensor lights are working.
  • Smart doorbells or cameras have a clear view, no cobwebs or debris blocking them.
  • If you have an alarm, use it. Some burglars do look for alarms that never seem to be set.

Outbuildings and sheds

Tools, bikes, garden equipment and ladders are attractive targets and can also be used against you.

A few reminders:

  • Don’t store wheelie bins under windows — they can be used as climbing aids.
  • Lock sheds and garages whenever you finish using them.
  • Mark high-value items and register them on immobilise.com.
  • If you’ve bought bikes or equipment as gifts, secure them before Christmas morning.

If you’re away for Christmas

Even if it’s only for a day or two:

  • Use timer switches for lamps.
  • Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things.
  • Avoid announcing travel plans online.
  • Make the house look “lived-in”: a light on, curtains closed, and post pushed fully through the letterbox.

Deliveries, Parcels and Online Shopping

Christmas means more deliveries than any other time of year. That also means more parcels left in vulnerable spots.

To cut the risk:

  • Arrange deliveries for when you’re home where possible.
  • Use collection points or lockers for items you don’t want left outside.
  • If you trust your neighbours, ask for parcels to be delivered to them instead.
  • Avoid leaving delivery notes that confirm an empty house (“I’ll be back at 6pm”).
  • Collect parcels promptly so they aren’t visible from the street.

If you’re returning items, don’t leave prepaid parcels outside overnight — thieves look for them too.

Think Before You Post: Social Media Safety

Sharing photos of gifts, Christmas Eve boxes or travel plans might feel harmless, but it creates a digital map of everything in your home — and when your house is empty.

A few easy habits:

  • Avoid posting expensive gifts online, especially before Christmas Day.
  • Don’t share countdowns to trips or say when you’re away visiting family.
  • Encourage teenagers not to post pictures of new bikes, scooters or tech outside the house where the location can be identified.
  • Check privacy settings and limit who can see your posts.

A moment’s pause before posting can close off an unnecessary risk.

Vehicle Safety: Out Shopping, After Dark and on the Move

Christmas shopping means full car parks, late nights and cars loaded with bags — all conditions that attract opportunistic thieves.

When choosing where to park

Not all car parks offer the same level of lighting, surveillance or staff presence. Before you lock up and walk away, take a quick look around:

  • Is the area well lit?
  • Are there other people around or staff on site?
  • Are there blind spots, alleys or hidden corners?
  • Are CCTV cameras visible?
  • Does the car park feel isolated once you leave the main entrance?

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, move your car.

When loading your car

  • Put shopping bags straight into the boot, not the back seats.
  • Don’t leave anything visible — even for a couple of minutes.
  • Before you walk away, physically check your car is locked. Remote fobs can be jammed.
  • Never leave your car running unattended to warm up or de-ice. Thieves watch for this in winter.

Car keys and tech

  • Keep keys away from doors and windows at home to reduce relay-theft risk.
  • Consider using a faraday pouch if you have keyless entry.
  • Never leave handbags, phones or gifts on display.

Personal Safety When Out and About

Christmas often means being out later than usual — nights out, office parties, Christmas markets, or dashing around finishing the shopping. The mix of dark evenings, busy venues and a bit of festive stress can make it easy to let your guard down, so here are a few grounded reminders to help you get home safely.

If you’re heading out

  • Share your route home with someone you trust.
  • Stick to well-lit streets where possible.
  • Avoid wearing headphones when it’s dark — keep your awareness.
  • Stay with friends if you’re going out drinking; don’t drift off alone at the end of the night.
  • Keep your bag zipped and carried in front of you in crowded places.
  • Be alert to distraction thefts — one person speaks to you while another targets your belongings.

Licensed taxis only

Always use licensed taxis or private hire vehicles. Before getting in:

  • Check the vehicle matches the booking.
  • Check the name of the driver and the licence plate.
  • If the taxi arrived without you booking it, don’t get in.

Use journey-sharing features in taxi apps

Many taxi apps now have a ‘Share My Ride’ or ‘Share My Journey’ feature that allows you to send:

  • The driver’s name
  • The car make, model and registration
  • Your live route
  • Your estimated arrival time

to a friend or family member. It takes seconds and gives someone else visibility if anything goes wrong or your phone battery runs low.

Drink-spiking awareness

Sadly, spiking incidents do rise around Christmas and New Year:

  • Don’t leave drinks unattended.
  • Only take drinks from the bar staff — not strangers.
  • If anything feels wrong, tell a friend, a member of staff, or security immediately.

If something doesn’t feel right

Trust your instincts. Whether it’s a shortcut that suddenly feels too quiet or a taxi that doesn’t match the name on the app — choose safety. Walk back into a busy area, stay inside the venue until you can arrange a safe lift, or call someone while you’re moving to a secure location.

Looking Out for Vulnerable Neighbours

Christmas can be a lonely and confusing time for some older or isolated residents. A quick knock or check-in can make all the difference — and also helps spot anything unusual.

Look out for:

  • Post building up
  • Lights never on or always on
  • Cold houses
  • Unfamiliar callers visiting frequently
  • Scams or suspicious doorstep behaviour

If you’re worried, you can let the police or local council know via non-emergency channels. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it’s worth mentioning.

Reporting Suspicious Behaviour

If something doesn’t feel right on your street or in your local shops or car parks, you can report it.

  • 999 — If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger
  • 101 — Suspicious behaviour, non-urgent concerns
  • Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) — Anonymous reporting
  • Derbyshire Alert — Local updates and crime-prevention information

Why Neighbourhood Watch Makes Communities Stronger

Setting up or joining a Neighbourhood Watch group is one of the simplest ways to strengthen the safety of your street. Sign up to Neighbourhood Watch now for free.

In Derbyshire, groups work closely with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, meaning residents get:

  • Real-time updates about incidents or suspicious activity
  • Direct crime-prevention advice
  • Support with improving local safety
  • A point of contact if they’re worried about anything happening on their street
  • A stronger sense of community, especially for vulnerable residents

You don’t need a big group to start. Even a handful of neighbours connected through WhatsApp or email can make a genuine difference. When people look out for each other — sharing information, offering support, and keeping an eye on what’s happening locally — it strengthens the whole community.

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