Burglaries up 18% in a year top cop tells Nelson Drive meeting

Chief Inspector Burrows told those gathered in the new Crescent Community and Cultural Centre almost 75 per cent of burglaries in Londonderry are through open doors and windows and are opportunistic rather than forced entries.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Thomas Conway, Chair of the Londonderry Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) stated: “The PCSP is the public’s partnership that has been established to address the policing and community safety needs of the entire community of the city and district.

“Burglary, especially domestic burglary, is a major concern at present for our residents and this public meeting provided an opportunity for those agencies involved in crime prevention and community safety to disseminate valuable information and advice on home security.”

Chief Inspector Burrows, provided an update on PSNI performance against the targets set out in the Foyle Local Policing Plan and advised of their policing with the community activities.

The local Crime Prevention Officer delivered a presentation on how the public can make their homes more secure and less attractive to burglars.

This presentation was particularly relevant given that the Foyle Area Commander informed those attending that burglary in the Council area has increased by over 18 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

The Area Commander also informed the meeting that PSNI crime analysis shows that almost 75 per cent of the burglaries happening in Foyle are through open doors and windows and are opportunistic rather than forced entries.

PCSP staff also advised community representatives of an informational DVD available through the partnership which advises how to deal with bogus callers. Advice leaflets on home security and burglary prevention was also provided to those in attendance.