Crime update from Police Sgt Mick MacDonald
Police Sergeant Mick MacDonald of Parsons Green and Walham Safer Neighbourhood Team reports that from April 1 to May 31, there was a sharp rise in the number of attempted residential burglaries.
However, Mick adds: " I am relieved to report that of the 31 offences recorded, seven were attempts only.
" This is due to the fact that those householders had made effective use of their window locks, thereby stopping the burglars from gaining entry. So in effect we have actually had 24 burglaries.
"This still means that in the last two months we have had 24 victims of this invasive crime. The vast majority of these burglaries involved entry through unlocked windows."
With these crimes in mind, Mick makes this appeal to the public; " Please, please try to remember to use your locks if fitted and to have them fitted if not. Sash window bolts allow the window to be left slightly open if you are at home, but will stop the window being opened too far.
" Following on from this, it makes sense not to leave anything small and valuable near the open window. In particular, laptops and mobile phones are the items most commonly left near windows. These can be slipped through a very small opening, thus making the burglar's job very easy."
Mick says there is better news on our local streets. " Thefts from and thefts of vehicles have both reduced compared to last year," he says. " In fact street crime at this stage in the year is at its lowest for five years."
June 3, 2010