LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A $13 million ad campaign aimed at cutting robbery, burglary and car crime is being launched in Great Britain, the BBC reported Sunday.
The Home Office is advising citizens to take precautions as simple as locking doors to avoid being victims of crime. Bus-shelter posters and ads on television and radio are at the center of the three-year "Let's Keep Crime Down" initiative.
The BBC reported that the charity Victim Support was "not happy about the adverts' tone, which could leave victims feeling guilty and foolish for not having followed the steps outlined by the government."
But Home Office minister Hazel Blears said simple steps can stop robbery and burglary.
"We know that one in five crimes happens through something really stupid -- like leaving your doors and windows open, leaving goods on the back seat of your car, flashing around your mobile phone," Blears said.
But shadow home secretary David Davis objected to Labor wasting taxpayer money and patronizing the public by stating the obvious.
"They should focus their energies on freeing our police from the increasing burden of red tape and putting them back on the front line," Davis said.
