Burglary rates falling

Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir

Domestic burglaries are down with 321 incidents recorded in the three months from 1 April this year, compared to 344 from 1 January to 1 April.

However, police are urging residents to be on their guard against thieves in a bid to keep burglary rates falling across the borough.

Officers are sounding the warning that residents need to stay vigilant if the figures are to continue to head in the right direction, with a third of break ins down to poor security.

Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir, from the Greater Manchester Police Rochdale Division, said: “These figures are fantastic news and if we continue in this vein we will beat our targets for the year, but there is a lot still to do and we need residents to help us.

“At this time of year, it is all too tempting to pop out into the back garden and leave your front door unlocked or to leave windows open when you go out, but this is the an open invitation to thieves. They can shimmy up a drainpipe in a matter of seconds and they can empty a front room in the time it takes to hang the washing out.”

Top crime prevention tips:

• Always lock your front door when you’re at home. A burglar could quickly nip into your front room and rifle through your stuff while you’re cooking a meal in the kitchen – it doesn’t take long.
• Try to avoid having windows open when you’re not in the room. Thieves can easily get into an upstairs window and empty your bedroom while you’re downstairs watching TV.
• Lock your car in a garage wherever possible. A swanky motor on the drive will make passing burglars think there are rich pickings to be had inside.
• Never leave your car or door keys anywhere near a letter box. Get into the habit of throwing them straight back into your bag into your bag or pocket as soon as you get home.
• Always double check that you have locked doors by trying the handle again. Simple, but easy to forget when you’re in a rush.
• Don’t leave any objects on display in your car. Even if it’s a low value item, a thief will see it as something which could be sold on.
• Keep on top of your home security. Rusted locks and broken off hinges on shed doors and garden gates mean they can be broken into easily.
• Register your valuables on the national lost property database www.immobilise.com