Rise in Shropshire house burglaries as doors are windows are left unsecured
Police in Shropshire are concerned at the rising number of house burglaries resulting from doors and windows being left open or unlocked.
A senior officer is urging householders to tighten up on basic security. "I want to make life much more difficult for criminals seeking easy pickings," said Detective Inspector Mick Homden.
"Not all burglaries are due to lax security but there are an increasing number which may have been prevented with a little more care on the part of the occupier."
He urged people to be on their guard, to report suspicious activity by calling 0300 333 3000 and to make sure they remain security conscious at all times.
"Simple measures like making keeping ground floor windows securely shut at night and ensuring front and back doors are kept locked, cost nothing. We all need to be security conscious and in the habit of shutting and locking windows and doors."
DI Homden said there were relatively few domestic burglaries in Shropshire but wanted to make people aware of a recent increase in numbers. "A significant portion of these have arisen from insecure doors and windows. Especially with Christmas approaching, it is important everyone is security aware."
His warning follows two more burglaries this week where homes were broken into through an open or unlocked door or window.
In one incident, a burglar climbed through a kitchen window at a house in Rutland, Shrewsbury which had been left open overnight for a cat. It happened between 10.45pm on Wednesday and 6.30am yesterday.
The householder, initially unaware they had been burgled, discovered £70 stolen from a purse together with some tobacco.
And a thief sneaked into a house in Alkington Road, Whitchurch through the unlocked front door while the occupier was out between 8.40am and 12pm yesterday. She returned to find a Blue Samsung laptop worth £300, a Canon digital 450 camera with three lenses worth £1,100 and four camera filters had been stolen.
Di Homden said people could help protect their homes from burglary by remembering the following:
- Keep front and back doors locked.
- Don't leave side gates open or unlocked.
- Shut any accessible windows overnight and when rooms are unattended.
- Don't leave ladders out allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows.
- Store securely garden tools which could be used to force entry.
- Keep hedges trimmed so they don't provide cover for burglars.
- Keep car and house keys concealed and secured.
Further information on maintaining home and garden security is available on the West Mercia Police website http://www.westmercia.police.uk/ advice centre.
