- Burglaries typically rise by approximately 25 per cent in winter
- 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
Gardaí have today (Monday 22 September 2014) advised householders to take steps to protect their property with the evenings getting longer as burglaries typically increase by 25 per cent during winter*.
While the rate of burglaries has reduced over the last year, An Garda Síochána is advising people to remain vigilant and security conscious in order to thwart burglars.
Figures from An Garda Síochána Analysis Service show that the peak time for residential burglaries is between 5pm and 11pm in the winter months.
The analysis also shows that nearly 50 per cent of burglaries in winter take place through the rear of home, while 20 per cent of households are entered by burglars 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,” commented Sergeant Courtney.
"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,” said Sergeant Courtney.
Jewellery to the value of €14.2m and €7.8m in cash were taken from Irish homes in the last 12 months. In total, property worth €35.1m was stolen between July 2013 and July 2014 from households.
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.
An Garda Síochána recommends people take the following steps to reduce the chances of their home being burgled:
- Secure all doors and windows
- Light up your home and use timer switches on lights for when you are out
- Store keys safely and away from windows and letterboxes
- Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home
- Use your alarm, even when you are at home
As part of its Supporting Safer Communities Week, An Garda Síochána will be publicising these tips and more detailed advice through www.garda.ie, social media, and national and local media.
Reducing burglaries and related thefts is a major priority for An Garda Síochána and a number of operations are in place nationally and locally to combat burglaries. For instance, Operation Fiacala, which is a national operation targeting travelling burglary gangs has led to over 10,000 people being arrested and more than 5,000 being charged. While there are also specific Garda operations in each region such as Operation Acer in the Dublin area that are successfully tackling burglars operating locally.
An infographic providing some of the information contained above is available via email from the Garda Press Office at pressoffice@garda.ie
