Campaign to cut burglaries

Officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be patrolling the streets with crime prevention flyers targeting unoccupied houses with windows that have been left open. The footprint shaped flyer bears the message: ‘You have left your home insecure’ and is intended to catch the attention of the people who return home to find the flyer in their house and realise they have left themselves open to burglary.

The campaign has been launched to reduce and prevent burglaries across the county, many of which could have been prevented. In more than half of the incidents reported, burglars have gained access through open and unlocked windows.

Detective Chief Inspector Malcolm Bibbings said: “We want to encourage people to think about home security and take simple steps to prevent yourself falling victim to this type of crime - such as locking doors and windows of homes, sheds and garages, and not leaving expensive items on show.”

Ten thousand leaflets will be distributed by the teams.