‘Undercover patrols’ to help combat increase in burglaries over festive period

Police have warned householders to be on their guard against a spate of break-ins expected over the festive period.

High-visibility and undercover patrols will take place in a bid to combat an expected jump in offending.

Officers expect the number of residential burglaries to go up during December, with around 200 crimes being reported in the same period last year.

They have urged householders not to leave keys in internal locks after discovering a series of distinctive break-ins where burglars made a small hole in glass doors to gain access to the lock from the inside.

PCSO Lee hurley said the force continued to receive reports of burglaries across the district in line with a regular rise in offences around Christmas.

“Our burglary team are investigating all reported offences and both highly-visible and plainclothed patrols are taking place across our area.

“In some offences we are seeing a small hole made in glass doors in order to reach and unlock the door from inside. Burglars will usually gain access to properties to the rear,” PCSO Hurley said.

Police warned residents not to leave keys in doors, which could invalidate an insurance claim, to lock all doors and windows if going out, to put in security lighting, to make sure burglar alarms were set and to watch out for property being moved outside the home which burglars sometimes do to check if a house is occupied.

They also urged householders to make sure wheelie bins were put back in place as soon after collection as possible so the house did not look unoccupied.