On Wednesday 12th March 2014, An Garda Siochana launched “National Crime Prevention Day of Action for Burglaries”. The day focused on practical tips for home owners and renters alike to make their homes more secure from intruders. These include the following for your information:
- · 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 valuable and don’t keep large cash amounts at home
- · Use your alarm, even when you are at home
The day was also used by An Garda Siochana to publicise its successful “Operation Fiacala” campaign, which is aimed at national gangs who specialise in burglaries. So far the operation has led to over 7000 arrests, 4000 of which have been followed with charges. Aside from “Fiacala”, there are a number of similar operations that operate on a regional level such as “Operation Acer”, which focuses on burglary gangs in Dublin.
Garda have stated that 28% of burglaries are carried out by gaining entry through the front door, 27% by the back or rear door, and 25% through a rear window.
Sergeant Kevin Courtney, of the National Crime Prevention Unit states that the overall figure is down from June 2012 to June 2013 by 8.9%, it is of course very important to keep these figures down and householders must play their part to ensure that it’s kept down. Be vigilant and be safe.
For further information on this subject go to www.Gardasiochana.ie
