Kendal residents urged to ‘be vigilant’ following rise in burglaries

Officers are urging residents in Kendal to be vigilant after a rise in reports of burglaries.

In the last six months 42 burglaries, which are being investigated by specialist detectives, have been reported across the Kendal area. For the same period, the year previous, there were 11 reported incidents of burglary.

To tackle the increase an operation, which includes increased patrols in the area, has been launched to assist in intelligence gathering, to deter offenders and to provide reassurance to residents. The operation will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Inspector Paul Latham is urging residents to remain extremely vigilant, he said:

“We are taking action to target offenders and prevent further burglary offences. The rise averages out as seven burglaries a month, in an area with a population of around 30,000. This may seem few to some but we are keen to disrupt those who steal from others.

“We are a rural area with a brilliant community and the increase is a concern to us as one burglary is one too many. These crimes will not be tolerated in and we are investigating intelligence to identify offenders and bring them to justice. Patrols in the community have, and will remain, increased in the community for the foreseeable future.

“There is action that residents and business owners can take to help prevent them being victim to a burglary. Criminals by nature are opportunists and if they can gain access to your home without having to force entry then they will steal from you. Locking windows and doors is a simple measure that increases your safety and deters criminals from committing offences.

“Being a victim of such offences is not a nice feeling as many struggle to feel safe in their own home which no-one should tolerate. I ask that you avoid this happening to you by taking on the crime prevention advice that we issue on a regular basis.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public to report suspicious activity to police as that can often prevent crimes. No matter how insignificant you may feel your information is, it could stop a criminal from stealing from you or somebody else.”

Home safety advice includes:

·         Remove keys from locks & keep out of reach of windows & doors

·         Ensure side gates & sheds are locked

·         Keep gifts, cash & valuables safe & well hidden, so they can’t be seen or reached by thieves

·         Consider fitting a burglar alarm & low energy dusk to dawn lighting, check regularly to ensure they work

·         Ensure your house is secure, preventing someone entering when you are busy elsewhere in the house or garden

·         Postcode your valuables with a UV pen, consider registering them on www.immobilise.com

·         Leave a light on in a room & draw curtains when you go out at night

·         Look out for your neighbour’s property

·         Report suspicious activity

·         Consider joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

·         Cancel newspapers, milk etc. when you go on holiday

·         Make sure callers to your home are genuine, always ask for ID

·         Do not publish on social media that your house is empty – post about trips and holidays when you return home

If you witness any suspicious activity please contact police on 101 or speak to a police officer or PCSO. If you witness a crime in action please call 999.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.