Warning on creeper burglaries

The first report was received from the Tara park area when the owner of a property discovered their home had been entered sometime before 1.27am on Sunday morning, October 7. Two vehicle were taken both of which were located a short time later. A silver coloured BMW which was recovered crashed and abandoned at the Fernabbey Roundabout on the Skeoge Road and a silver Ford Fiesta was recovered burnt out in the Rossgalliagh area.

The second occurred sometime between 3am and 10.30am on Sunday morning.

On this occasion a metallic green Peugeot was taken along with a handbag containing credit cards that had been left in the vehicle.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact police or the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Police are also urging people to lock their homes and vehicles at night and make sure they area secure. Over 50 per cent of burglaries occur due to insecure properties. Reassessing your crime prevention routine is an important first step. A large proportion of all burglaries occur at unsecured premises through unlocked doors or windows. If your doors aren’t secure, neither is your house. Make sure your doors are strong enough for the job, and fit mortise deadlocks, door chains and viewers and make use of them, when you receive an unexpected knock at the door.

Never leave keys in the locks, on tabletops or hooks in view of external windows. Never hide spare keys under doormats or flower pots. Thieves aren’t stupid; hidden keys make life easy for the burglar.

Keep your doors and windows locked whether you are at home or not and establish a bedtime routine which involves checking them just before you retire for the night.

Whether you have wooden, metal or UPVC window frames in your home there are a variety of locks available that are suitable for all window types. If your window does not already have a keyed lock fitted, then consider having them fitted, particularly on ground floor windows or upper windows that may be easily accessed from a flat roof.

Exterior lights are useful in discouraging the attention of criminals, particularly those involved in burglary and the theft of heating oil as it raises the potential of them being seen in the vicinity of your home by either yourself or a neighbour.

Further practical crime prevention advice is always available from your local Crime Prevention Officer on 0845 600 8000.