37% Drop In Number Of Burglaries In NI

The number of burglaries in Northern Ireland has dropped by 37 per cent from 281 last year to 177 this year.

Police launched Operation Cordella across NI and the number of domestic burglaries affecting people over 60 years of age decreased by 13.9 per cent from 65 last year to 56 this year.

During the two-week operation, police arrested 42 suspects and conducted 27 searches. A total of 64 charges or reports to the Public Prosecution Service resulted from police investigations over this period.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Simon Walls, PSNI lead for burglary, said: "Our focused period of enforcement activity has once again reduced the incidence of burglaries. Indeed, over the last two years domestic burglaries have shown a downwards trend. Non domestic burglaries have also been decreasing over that period.

"While this is welcome news and evidence of effective police activity, we are not complacent. We have worked to focus our resources on locations and individuals and to raise awareness in communities about how people can prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime and keep their property safe.

"One example is the Nominated Neighbour Scheme: if a caller arrives when you are alone in the house, they can be shown a card instructing them to contact your 'Nominated Neighbour', who will then try and check the caller’s identity avoiding the need for you to open your front door. The forms can be downloaded by clicking here from our website or people can contact a local officer who will provide them free of charge.

"Burglaries are a violation of people’s personal space and cherished possessions. Our higher profile in communities, making sure any burglary hotspots receive increased attention, has been effective. For those individuals who have been charged, a conviction will lead to serious consequences. Despite pressures on our resources, we will continue to look at how we can extend such operations to achieve maximum benefit."

(CD)