Burglar's to-do list

A burglar's to-do list that detailed a series of potential targets has been published by Greater Manchester Police in an attempt to raise awareness of crime over the Christmas period.

The handwritten note, titled "lined up grafts", included the location of keys to cars which have been left on view, bikes left unlocked and homes where easy-picking items have been left exposed.

The would-be thief also listed the tools needed to carry out each crime including including hammers, screwdrivers and a coat hanger.

Police constable Andy Pickering of the GMP said the list showed how criminals identified their targets and should serve as a reminder to householders on how to protect themselves from falling victim.

“While most thieves are opportunistic there are some who are more organised and will systematically search out the weaknesses in your neighbourhood for the easiest homes, cars, pedal bikes or other valuables on your property to target and steal," he said.

View a larger image of the note here

The police are encouraging Manchester residents to make their own 'to-do list' of how to protect their homes.

“Being a victim of theft is hard at any time of the year but is particularly so during this special period in the calendar. You can help yourself by putting into action your own ‘to-do’ list to stop thieves going to work in your community," Pickering said.

GMP will be tweeting using the #to-do hashtag over Christmas in order to provide advice.

The Alarming Man is able to install wireless alarms for homes and outbuildings to protect presents both before and after the festive season. Call 01616601636

Corporate Manslaughter

The interesting thing about the information below is that death when an employee is out of the office on company business, may fall within this legislation. To help protect and watch over employees outside of the office, systems are available such as ID card holders that incorporate tracking and man down facilities.

NEW research by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health CIEH highlights that businesses understanding of the implications of a prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is worryingly low.

The survey of 500 business decision-makers revealed that 57% of businesses were unaware that they could be subject to a publicity order if found guilty of a fatal accident at work.

The possibility of such an order is one of the three punishments that could be given to guilt companies under the Act. Firms are also likely to be punished with a heavy fine of up to 10% of turnover and an order to put in place measures to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident that resulted in the death.

A publicity order means the court can order that the particulars of the offence, conviction, any fine and the terms of any remedial order be published by the defendant within a specified period. Breach of a publicity order will in itself be an offence, punishable by an unlimited fine.

Sectors that were most aware of the changes were travel and transport (53%), retail, catering and leisure (47%) and small and medium-sized enterprises (42%) but those least knowledgeable were manufacturing, engineering, utilities and healthcare (35%).

When asked about the implications of breaching the Act, 59% of businesses regarded a publicity order as the greater threat. This is echoed within most individual industries, except for manufacturing, engineering and utilities.

In launching the findings of the research CIEH chief executive Graham Jukes, said: 'This poll research highlights the lack of awareness in most businesses of the effect that an accident at work may have on a firm's ability to trade in the future.

'Business leaders must act proportionately but if they fail to properly resource health and safety and something goes wrong then it will not just be the victim that suffers but the business as a whole through the link to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.' (Workplace Law Network: June 25).