Garda issue winter warning on burglaries
Burglaries typically increase by about 25 per cent during the winter, Gardai have warned.
In a statement issued by the Garda Press Office this week, householders were advised to take steps to protect their property with the evenings getting longer.
Some details issed by the Gardai include:
* A majority of burglaries during winter take place between 5pm and 11pm
* The most common points of entry by burglars are front door (29 per cent), rear window (26 per cent), rear door (22 per cent)
* 20 per cent of burglaries take place through an unsecured door or window
Sergeant Kelvin Courtney of the National Crime Prevention Unit said darker evenings and lax security can make it easier for burglars.
'The longer evenings can help burglars spot if people are not home. For instance, they can easily see if a house is empty if rooms are unlit, curtains are open, and there is no car in the driveway. It also makes it easier for them to enter a residence without being seen,” he commented.
'We would urge the public to follow a number of basic steps to increase their home’s security.
'Don’t be one of the 20% that allow burglars easy access through an unsecured point. Lock your windows and doors, and try and make them tamper proof locks.
'Light up your house – use timers on lamps inside if you’re going to be out, and make sure you have an outside light that is tied to a motion sensor.
'When burglars are in your house they are looking from items that are Concealable Removable Available Valuable Enjoyable and Disposable (CRAVED).
'That is why jewellery made up 40% of all property stolen from residential properties in the last 12 months. So keep valuables out of sight and don’t keep large amounts of cash at home,” he said.
An Garda Síochána is also advising people that 'fishing”, which sees burglars place implements such as adapted fishing rods through letterboxes to 'fish” car and house keys from hall tables, can result in houses being easily entered or cars being stolen from outside the house.
There were over 200 cases where car keys were 'fished” through letterboxes in the last year.