A shadowy figure lurking in the garden in the early hours. A rattle on a window latch. It must be a burglar. But don't panic too soon and call the police. That could be them outside.
Officers have begun testing windows and doors at night as part of a campaign to increase home security. If they find one open, they are under orders to knock on the door and drag sleepy residents from their beds and lecture them.
The move is part of an initiative called Operation Golden which aims to slash burglary rates in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Resident Adrian Dodd, 42, said: 'I think it is preposterous. It is all well and good advising people but you can't come trespassing on property in the dead of night and waking people up. Someone will have a heart attack.
'Most reasonable people will say thanks for letting them know and be grateful.'
SIGN IN WINDOW: Visitors From America On Premises. Unauthorized entry may result in an insanely violent demise of intruder. Or as my dearly beloved, now deceased grandfather's sign read:
TRESPASSERS WILL BE VIOLATED. SURVIVORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. |
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