Crime and victims
Burglary
Burglary rates have been dropping for some time thanks to a wide-ranging approach to tackling the problem.
Facts & figures
- The number of domestic burglaries fell by 11% between 2006-07 and 2007-08,
- Other household thefts fell by 12%
- Reports of criminal damage fell by 13%
We think this is good news, and we want it to continue.
Working together
Working together is essential to combat burglary, and we have worked in partnership with agencies, non-profit groups and local authorities to get our burglary prevention messages to those groups most likely to be targeted by thieves:
- people moving house
- students
- older people
- holiday makers.
Tougher sentencing
This approach has gone hand-in-hand with other initiatives such as tougher sentencing. We have introduced a 'three-for-three' minimum sentence of at least three years for people who have already been convicted of burglary three times.
We know that a relatively small number of prolific offenders are responsible for a large number of crimes, and we want to keep them off the streets.
Coded for keeps
We're working to make it harder, riskier and less profitable for thieves to use or dispose of stolen goods. This includes several elements such as tackling handlers and other outlets for stolen goods and urging industry to produce (and the public to buy) more secure products.
Our work with the mobile phone industry last year introduced a new system in which virtually all stolen phones are shut off within 24 hours - making them useless to thieves.
You can help by marking your property with your postcode, and by not buying property you think might have been stolen. Remember: it’s an offence (punishable by up to 14 years in prison) to buy stolen goods.
Keeping burglary down
Be aware that you’re much less likely to be a victim of burglary if you take easy but effective steps to secure your home.
Households with no security measures in place are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with such simple security measures as window locks and deadlocks.
The more secure your property, the less likely it is you will be burgled.
Other actions you can take to help keep burglary down:
- contact Neighbourhood Watch (new window) to see what’s happening in your area, and how you can contribute to, or even start, a local scheme
- speak to a Community Safety Officer (new window) at your local authority
- read our burglary prevention leaflets, see 'Related Documents' right, and pick up some staying safe tips
Beat the bogus callers
‘Distraction burglars’, or bogus callers, will distract you in order to get into your home to steal your money or belongings. If anyone you don’t know turns up at your door, you should always ask to see their identification before letting them in.
Unfortunately, the elderly are especially vulnerable, but we are working with Age Concern, Help the Aged and the police to ensure they don’t fall victim to this particularly unpleasant crime.
Follow our ‘Lock, Stop, Chain, Check’ advice below and keep yourself safe.
Staying safe tips
LOCK: Make sure your door is locked when you’re at home and don’t unlock it until you’re sure who is on the other side.
STOP: If someone appears at your door, and you’re not expecting any visitors, check that all the doors are locked. Look through the spy-hole or the window to see who it is.
CHAIN: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking.
(Normally, when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off, in case you need to get out in an emergency)
CHECK: Ask for, and double check, their identity card. And if you’re still not sure, ask for a number you can ring to confirm their identity. If they can’t show you any identification, don’t let them in.
