We are issuing a warning to residents to ensure they are keeping their homes safe and secure after a spate of burglaries.
Officers are advising householders not to make it easy for a burglar by locking all windows and doors and report any suspicious activity as soon as you become aware of it.
Detective Inspector David Peart said: “We would like to remind residents of the importance of locking all doors, including patio doors and windows prior to going to bed. Make sure keys are not kept in locks and don’t leave them near doors or windows. It only takes an opportunist thief a few moments to sneak into a house and steal property before leaving the same way they got in.
“Most crimes are spur of the moment where thieves see an open window or valuables on display. Don’t assume you are safe from burglars just because you are at home. It is upsetting to be a victim of this type of crime – and in a lot of cases it can simply be prevented by just making sure you lock up securely.”
Officers are stressing the importance of remembering to lock doors and windows. We are also appealing for witnesses to come forward if they see any suspicious activity.
The Detective Inspector continued: “We have made good strides in reducing the number of break-ins but we are keen to build upon this and see a further reduction in the number of reports by encouraging people to adopt some basic crime prevention and home security routines. Experience tells us that a number of break-ins are the result of unlocked doors and windows so a good place to start in preventing burglary is to make sure your home is secure. Close and lock all windows and doors at night or when you are leaving your home, even if it’s only for a short time. It can only take minutes for a burglar to spot an opportunity and strike.
“We are advising homeowners to take some responsibility for their actions and make sure their windows and doors are all locked before they head to bed. It is more difficult for us to trace burglars who don’t have to break into a property but simply climb through a window or walk through a door. By adopting a bed time routine of locking doors into your daily routine you can help reduce your chances of being targeted by a burglar.”
“It’s not just in the evening that you need to be cautious. We have had an incident that happened around 7.30am when a resident left their door unlocked whilst they put rubbish in the recycling bins. It is very easy for thieves to spot a front door that has been left open and take the opportunity to sneak through an unlocked front door.”
DI Peart added: “It is also vitally important that you report all suspicious activity to us as soon as you become aware of it. If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity to us on 101.
“Suspicious activity can include people trying door handles in the street as they could be looking for an unlocked door. By calling police you could help to prevent a crime.”
Anyone with information to the burglaries, or anyone who notices anybody acting suspiciously in their area, should contact us on 101. Alternatively if you believe a crime is being committed call 999.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.
