Cracking down on burglary

Cracking down on burglary.

There are fewer burglaries happening nowadays compared to five years ago but the council and the police say that it remains a problem that needs to be addressed.

Peter Egan, Pennines Community Safety Officer at Rochdale Council, said: “Everyday is burglary action day to us. We work hard with our partners in the police to tackle crime and disorder in the borough. Residents should be assured that we are committed to making life harder for burglars, we have many schemes that help us to achieve this and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect local people.

“We would like to remind everybody that the majority of crimes can be prevented by taking a few simple steps to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Keep all vulnerable doors and windows locked and do not leave valuable items on view in cars, gardens or living rooms.”

In honour of Burglary Action Day tomorrow (Tuesday 7 April) the council has issued an update on burglary reduction schemes that have been rolled out across the borough.

Alleygating Scheme

326 schemes across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have benefited from alleygates, a simple crime reduction measure which involves erecting lockable steel gates to the end of back alleys and passages. The alleygates are installed, where possible, free of charge by the council, and are protecting almost 7894 homes in the borough from burglaries.

Smartwater Campaign

SmartWater is a new scheme carried out by the council, together with local police, in a bid to prevent and detect burglaries, and has already proved successful in Kirkholt where it has been introduced in more than 5000 homes.

It is a unique spray used to mark people’s property with an invisible solution that contains an identification number.It allows police officers to identify stolen items and return them to their rightful owners. Anyone arrested will be scanned under ultraviolet light to check for traces of the solution.

Within a year burglaries had reduced by 40% in SmartWater zones compared to the same period the previous year.

Security Awareness Campaigns

Community Safety Officers work tirelessly, alongside police and community support officers, advising and informing local communities on security tips. Often useful advice leaflets, reminding residents to be vigilant, are distributed to houses in burglary hot spots or when there has been a rise in the number of burglaries taking place in a specific area.

Home Watch Schemes

Home Watch Schemes are continuing to thrive in the borough, providing closer links between neighbours, communities, the council and police. They improve people’s awareness of crime, therefore making them less likely to become victims. There are around 290 schemes active in the borough and can be influential in reducing burglaries, vandalism, car theft and theft from cars.

No Cold Calling Zones

These are designated areas clearly defined by street signs sending a clear message to cold callers that they are not welcome. There are 4 zones in place across the borough, one in each township protecting a total of 360 properties. All zone residents, who are mostly elderly, have been supplied with warning stickers that they can place in their windows to remind cold callers that they do not wish to be contacted without an appointment. Residents have also been given lots of advice on how to handle rogue traders, distraction burglars and bogus callers who target vulnerable people.