POLICE have today warned householders not to be complacent after it emerged the county had experienced its lowest number of summer burglaries for five years.
POLICE have today warned householders not to be complacent after it emerged the county had experienced its lowest number of summer burglaries for five years.
During the six-month period from April to September 2006, there were 945 burglaries in the county, compared with 1,115 in the same period last year.
Police believe the decrease is because people are paying attention to crime prevention advice about keeping homes secure during the summer months and putting lights on timers while they are away.
Now winter is approaching and the nights are getting longer, police are launching a new security awareness campaign in the hope burglaries will further decrease.
The force has issued crime prevention stickers aimed at increasing awareness and reducing doorstep crime.
Les King, crime reduction officer for the Babergh area, said: “All we ask is for householders to use the stickers as directed.
“Keep your doors locked even if you at home to prevent walk in burglaries.
“Remember to ensure your home is secured when leaving it unoccupied, no matter how short a time that might be for.
“This will deny the opportunist criminal access to your home and property.
“We live in a very safe area, keep it that way.”
The stickers are multipurpose with four parts. One goes on the outside of the front door to warn unsolicited callers that the householder is security aware.
Parts two and three are to be placed on the inside of the front and back doors to remind the householder to lock them.
The last part is a list of handy telephone numbers.
The stickers will be available from all Suffolk police stations, Co-op stores, Help the Aged shops, Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association and the Suffolk Acre Good Neighbours Scheme.
There were 1.098 burglaries in Suffolk between April and September 2001, 1,134 in the same period in 2002; 1,310 in the same period in 2003; 962 between April and September 2004 and 1,115 in the same period last year.
Have you been a victim of burglary? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Weblinks: www.suffolk.police.uk; www.eveningstar.co.uk/news
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