The Crime Prevention Website

Sudden surge in property crime alarms police chiefs was the front page headline in The Times yesterday, which consequently got well tweeted around the ether.

The Times article went on to say that The era of falling crime could be at an end, according to leaked figures showing a “disturbing trend” of rising muggings, burglary and theft.

Unpublished police data shows a sharp increase in property crime as thieves target smartphones and tablet computers through break-ins, snatch thefts and street muggings. There has also been a rise in shoplifting, with police forces reporting first-time arrests of people stealing basic food.

Police leaders have been summoned to a Whitehall meeting to discuss the trend, which emerged in data from around the country between April and September.

It seems that the North-West police forces, including Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria are facing the main challenges with the SE Forces remaining quite stable.

TCPW Comment: We must bear in mind these are unpublished figures, the police know about them and will be working very hard to deal with the problems right now.

If this report turns out to be accurate then all of our efforts to prevent crime will suddenly become even more important than normal.  Let’s do what we can to minimise our own risks of becoming victims to the common crimes, so that the police, already operating on reduced budgets, can concentrate on the serious end stuff.

Common crimes that shouldn’t be happening:

  • Theft from motor vehicles – leave nothing on view in the car or van and keep it locked
  • Burglary – ensure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when leaving the home unoccupied and use timers on some of your lights. Also lock your multi-point front doors at night. Don’t rely on the latch!
  • Theft from the person – don’t walk about in a daydream using your mobile phone. Put wallets in front pockets and keep handbags done up
  • Theft – Always be vigilant when using an ATM and when using your credit cards

You know it makes sense!

Source The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article3937546.ece

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