Burglary down by 25-per-cent in Knowsley last month

24 September 2010

There has been a 25-per-cent reduction in burglary in Knowsley last month compared to August 2009. Across the borough, 17 fewer homes have been burgled in August 2010 compared to August 2009.

Police in Knowsley have been working with partners to carry out home security checks and crime prevention advice, as well as improving security on particularly vulnerable homes.

Overnight, Police Officers in Knowsley have also been walking down streets in hotspot burglary areas, trying the outside handles of doors to ensure that they are locked.

During the past five months, as part of the operation 14,271 doors were tried and 493 were found to be unlocked. When a home is found to be insecure, the officers have knocked to let the resident know and to give them some crime prevention advice, which has been widely welcomed.

Superintendent Mark Harrison said: "One in three burglaries happen through an insecure door or window, so I would encourage people to keep their doors and windows locked when they're not in the house, even if they're only going out for a minute. Remember if you have a UPVC door, ensure that it is locked with the key."

Despite these reductions in burglary, there have been a number of recent incidents across Merseyside where people have been posing as officials from the water or gas board, or using other excuses to gain access to people's homes and steal from them.

Superintendent Mark Harrison said: "This type of crime is despicable; victims of distraction burglary can suffer terribly both emotionally and physically. This type of crime can seriously affect their trust and faith in people afterwards. With help from the Safer Knowsley Partnership, IKAN* and United Utilities, our officers have produced a DVD to increase awareness amongst older people about the issue of bogus caller officials.

The video takes viewers through a range of scenarios, demonstrating how easy it is to be deceived by strangers calling at your home. It also demonstrates the security steps that people should take when answering the door to strangers."

Officers have been showing the DVD to older people at local meetings and have also been visiting older and vulnerable people's homes. After watching the video, residents are given the opportunity to ask any questions as part of a facilitated discussion.

One local resident said: "The video was really helpful and contained lots of useful information on how to avoid being deceived by strangers knocking at my door. I will certainly be taking this advice on board and will be letting all of my friends know too."

Constable Colin Carter, Crime Prevention Officer in Knowsley said: "Many people who call at your door are genuine but some are not. It's therefore vital to take precautions before you open the door to someone you don't know."

Things to remember:

  • Always make sure visitors are who they say they are by asking to see their identification
  • Don't let people that you don't know into your home - remember 'if in doubt, keep them out'
  • Close and lock the back door before answering the front door
  • Have a viewer or spy hole and a strong chain fitted to your door
  • If the caller claims to be from an electricity, gas or water company, ask them to quote your customer reference number.  A genuine caller from these utility companies will have this information
  • Don't keep large quantities of cash at home, put it in the bank where it is safe

If you wish to report a bogus caller, or any other crime, you can contact Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010. You can also report it to Crimestoppers annoyomous on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.