The number of people falling victim to house burglary in Warwickshire has dropped following a ‘sustained focus’ on targeting the most prolific offenders.

 

Burglaries reduced by 6.2% in the 2018/19 performance year compared to the 2017/18 performance year.

Detective Superintendent Neil Harrison said: “Burglary is a crime that has a huge impact on victims and we are committed to tackling it.

“The number of burglaries in Warwickshire reduced in the 2018/19 performance year due to a sustained focus on targeting prolific offenders, working with partner agencies and colleagues in other forces, and making it as difficult as possible for criminals to operate in the county.

“We use intelligence to ensure the most persistent and dangerous offenders are taken off the streets and brought to justice. This is a primary function of our offender management unit.

“This approach meant there were 134 fewer victims of house burglary in Warwickshire during the last performance year and it is important to recognise the hard work that has gone into achieving this.

“With the investment in frontline policing from the police and crime commissioner we are confident we can continue to cut the number of burglaries.”

In the past 12 months, investigations by the offender management unit have led to a number burglars being given long prison sentences. This includes:

• In November 2018, a man from Rugby was jailed for three years for a burglary and fraud in Rugby.
• In November 2018, two car key burglars from Birmingham were jailed for four years eight months each for 12 offences in Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. This followed a large joint investigation by Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police.
• In December 2018, a man from Nuneaton was jailed for two years and four months for a burglary in Nuneaton.
• In February 2019, a man from Rugby was jailed for three years six months for a burglary in Rugby.
• In February 2019, two men from Leicester were jailed for a combined total of five years nine months for a burglary in Nuneaton.

Det Supt Harrison added: “The public has a role to play in making life as difficult as possible for burglars. There are simple steps people can take to secure their property.”

Police offer the following advice:

• Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you’re just out in the garden.
• Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox).
• Consider installing effective outside lighting.
• Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property.
• Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition.
• Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
• Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage.
• Keep ladders and tools stored away. Don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.
• Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property.
• Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
• Remove valuables from view through ground floor windows.