As a victim of deliberate damage to my property how do I alert neighbours without scaring them unneccessarily?

Recently I believe that my family have been the victims of a deliberate act of criminal damage. This potentially could have threatened the welfare of my family. Naturally I feel I need to inform the immediate neighbours to be vigilant, however I do not want to scare people unneccessarily. Do I keep quiet or do I inform them of this recent event ?