‘Be Aware’ song proves a hit

The annoying but catchy ‘Be Aware’ song, based on the popular Gocompare.com advert, has made a big impact in helping to reduce the number of insecure properties in Gwent by reminding people to lock up.

Earlier this year, Gwent Police teamed up with Gio Compario, the opera singer who advertises the Newport-based insurance comparison site Gocompare.com, to record a 40-second crime-prevention video.

In the film, Gio – real-life Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans – catches a pair of burglars and encourages homeowners to lock their doors and windows when leaving their home, even if they are popping out only for a few minutes. A new version of the Gocompare.com song was specifically recorded for the film, replacing the word ‘Gocompare’ with ‘Be Aware’.

And in a survey carried out by the force, almost 90 per cent of people said it has stuck in their minds and encouraged them to lock up. Twenty thousand leaflets backing the message were delivered across Gwent to areas where the number of burglaries had increased.

Superintendent Rhiannon Kirk, who is leading the anti-burglary initiative, said: “The joint police and community effort is paying off. We are seeing fewer domestic burglaries – 250 in July compared to 270 in June – and other types of burglary have also dropped, from 354 in May to 316 in July.
“Even the climate can affect burglary patterns. When it’s wet, people shut and lock their doors and windows and there are fewer burglaries.”

More than 400 arrests have been made in several targeted operations to tackle burglary.

A schools competition is now being launched in which pupils can draw a picture of a safe house, or sing the ‘Be Aware’ song, to win prizes ranging from an iPod Nano to a visit by the force helicopter. The idea is that children will nag their parents to be more security conscious.