Improve Home Security, Says Top Shropshire Detective

Shropshire's senior detective today urged people to "break bad habits" which are playing into the hands of opportunist thieves seeking easy pickings.

The plea was made by Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards following a sharp rise in household burglaries across the county in recent weeks.

"I want people to be aware of what's happening so they can tighten up on basic security.  We have had 40 homes broken into in little more than a week and although there have been a number of arrests, burglaries are continuing to rise."

He said preventing and investigating burglary offences was one of the top priorities for the police.

"These type of crimes are so distressing for the victims. I want to do everything possible to prevent them happening.  People need to be on their guard and to break lax security habits which we are all guilty of.

"With shorter daylight hours and on the run-up to Christmas, now is the time when homes can be most vulnerable.  Thieves are on the lookout for soft targets so it is crucial everyone tightens up on their basic security.  Don't make it easy for burglars."

DCI Edwards said people should remember to lock front and back doors, not only when going to bed, but whenever not in use.

"It's so easy for a burglar to try door handles until they find one unlocked and then to nip inside, perhaps while the occupants are watching television in another room.  They can snatch a purse, wallet, handbag, mobile phone or other small valuables from a kitchen table or worktop and be away again within seconds."

Ground floor windows should be securely shut overnight and items of value should not be left visible to someone looking in from outside.  In an incident reported yesterday, a man's white gold wedding ring valued at £500 was stolen from the kitchen window sill of a house in Pool Rise, Shrewsbury after the window was left ajar.   The thief was able to grab the ring without even entering the property.

DCI Edwards said people should not leave car keys lying around in the home.  "Keep them safely secure where they cannot be easily found should there be a burglary.  We have had several high performance cars stolen off driveways recently after homes were broken into and the ignition keys taken.  Nothing else was stolen."

He added: "People need to be on their guard.  If you remember to take basic security precautions there is a much reduced risk of becoming a burglary victim."

The most recent burglaries include a breakin at a home in Rea Street, Belle Vue, Shrewsbury between 9am and 6.10pm yesterday (Nov 8) when the letter box was tampered with and partly removed.  Property stolen included a quantity of Euros, a Nintendo Wii console, a Hewlett Packard computer and jewellery.

And at Shifnal, a house was broken into in Victoria Road between 8.40am and 3pm yesterday.  The back door was forced, rooms searched and jewellery stolen.

If you spot suspicious activity at any time, contact your nearest main police station by calling 101.  Information can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111 for which a reward may be given.

Further advice about household security is available on the West Mercia Police website, http://www.westmercia.police.uk/

 Issued: Wednesday, 09 November 2011