More than 1,500 burglary arrests in 12 months targeting people who made you feel unsafe in your home

ESSEX Police claim to have made more than 1,500 arrests in the last 12 months as we target people who make you feel unsafe in your home.

They also say they have attended almost every theft since April and remain committed to fighting theft.

Superintendent Tim Tubbs, head of burglary at Essex Police, said police were committed to responding to your home if it was targeted: “Burglary is a truly invasive crime and we know how disturbing and distressing it is when someone breaks into your private space.

“We are therefore committed to responding to home burglaries and carrying out all reasonable investigations.

“We experienced 99.6 percent of all home burglaries in October, and in the last six months this rate has been 99.3 percent.

“Our work has led to more than 1,500 arrests in connection with residential burglaries in the last 12 months and we are committed to continuing to improve our solve rates across the county.

“As part of the force’s approach we regularly examine hotspots, where we see linked crimes or repeat victims, and where we see repeat suspects or known burglary offenders sought for other matters.

“And our studies have seen home burglaries reduced by 40 percent in the last five years.”

Supt Tubbs said a week of intensified action last month had been productive: “In that one week alone we made 73 arrests.

“As well as visiting homes and businesses to provide crime prevention advice, we have carried out more than 100 hours of crime prevention patrols focusing on hotspots.

“But we are not complacent and we know there is more we can do.”

Supt Tubbs added that there are things the public can do to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of burglary: “Whilst the figures show a promising trend and our own focus on reducing this crime, I would like to emphasize that the biggest deterrent is our own home-based assessment.”

“This means locking the doors and windows and leaving the car keys out of sight through the windows.

“Consider maintaining and trimming hedges so no one can hide behind or jump over them.

“And using external lighting so there’s no place for a burglar to hide, but also keeping your home occupied when you’re out by using the timer switch on the lamp.”

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