Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Security warning after raids

Police have urged people to improve home security after 11 houses on an estate were burgled in two weeks.

They are staging extra patrols in Northfields, Leicester, following the raids.

Inspector Steve Riley, commander of Keyham Lane police station, said: "These burglaries are happening any time between 10am and 10pm and we've had only a couple where windows had been left open.

"Most involved someone going around the back and forcing a door or window open with some kind of tool.

"Because the method is so similar, we think it's the same person or persons responsible.

"We are asking people to make sure their homes are as secure as possible, maybe by installing security lights in their gardens, putting an extra bolt or two on their doors and windows or by leaving a light on when they're out."

Terry Herbert, former chairman of the estate's tenants association, said: "Eleven break-ins in a couple of weeks is a lot but I think it's a sign of the times. People are losing their jobs and there are cutbacks everywhere and I think we're going to see more of this.

"It's a good idea for people to improve their home security, particularly the elderly."

Last week police and the Safer Leicester Partnership reported that a joint campaign had helped cut burglary rates.

The operation saw extra officers patrolling high-crime areas and the monitoring of suspects. More than 130 security gates were fitted to block unauthorised access to alleyways between homes and security was upgraded at 667 homes which had been burgled.

Inspector Alex Hathaway, who oversaw the operation, said: "It meant that there have been 290 fewer victims of burglary than there were in the same period last year.

"Members of the Safer Leicester Partnership have put a great deal of hard work and resources into this operation.

"But we also rely on continued vigilance from members of the public, and we would urge them to continue reporting suspicious activity to us immediately."

Councillor Wayne Naylor, the city council's cabinet member for health and community safety said: "Not all crime is preventable, but there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of crime and reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of burglary.

"These schemes do work."

Home security advice is available on the force website:

www.leics.police.uk



Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/12e830d2/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CSecurity0Ewarning0Eraids0Carticle0E32545460Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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