Exeter police 'raid' unlocked city homes
POLICE have launched a radical new operation to highlight properties which are vulnerable to burglaries.
Neighbourhood officers patrolled streets in the St James area of the city on the look-out for open windows and unlocked doors.
And they left ‘swag bags’ at the insecure properties — placing any valuables found inside — to highlight to residents how burglars may gain access to their homes.
A team of around 16 officers, involving neighbourhood officers and members of the city’s PACT — Partners and Communities Together — team joined the operation. They found more than 50 insecure properties. Police said the aim of the action was to show homeowners that if it had been a real burglar entering their homes, the items inside the swag bag would have been stolen. Neighbourhood beat manager for St James, PC Rob Bolt, said most burglaries were committed through insecure doors and windows.
“While we do not want to create an atmosphere of fear, it is important that occupants are aware that currently, most burglaries are occurring through insecure windows and doors,” he said.
“Even if you are in the house, a burglar will still seize the opportunity to open your door and see if anything is in view.”
In many instances, officers were able to access residents’ homes and walk around the properties without residents realising.
PC Bolt said: “Officers were able to walk into people’s homes and place the swag bags in their properties while we could hear them upstairs.
“We were expecting to find some insecure properties but were amazed by the number that were identified.
“Neighbourhood officers are trying to find new innovative ways to try and encourage members of the public to keep their homes secure.
“Officers are dedicated to catching offenders but if we can stop the crime occurring then we can prevent members of the public from becoming victims of crime.”
Neighbourhood teams can be contacted to arrange free home security surveys by calling police on 08452 777444 or by visiting www.devon-cornwall.police.uk.
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by rebecca2010, Exeter
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 2:35PM
“Bernard, as a previous resident of the St James Ward I understand how much of a serious issue burglary is in the area - and the Police didn't just enter ANY property - they entered properties that were SITTING DUCKS. If they entered my property with ease I would see that as a sign that I had to address some security issues.
Again, I go back to my original point - would you prefer a Police Officer to enter your (insecure) property and give you a wake up call? or would you prefer for a burglar to enter your property and steal from you?
There seems to be an odd theme developing here - regarding Police and their influence - do you really think the Police are wielding power for the sake of wielding power? or do you think, perhaps, they are trying to assist? - have we all really become that paranoid and suspicious? As a regular attendee of police PACT meetings I have actually got to know my neighbourhood Policing Team very well - so I know where my support lies. I wonder if this initiative were to have a positive influence on burglary stats in Exeter, would the grumblers still be grumbling? - I also wonder how many grumblers could name at least ONE of their local neighbourhood policing team?
This is a serious issue that needs to be tackled NOW - I am curious to know how many of the lofty idealists have ever experienced the violation of burglary? I also wonder how many of those same lofty idealists would stubbornly sit amidst the debris of their recently burgled home and think 'we'll at least my stubborn principals haven't been violated'...”
by Bernard, London
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 1:52PM
“The police are entering homes uninvited, surely that is breaking a law or two, or do they feel they are exempt?”
by rebecca2010, Exeter
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 10:56AM
“As someone who was burgled on millennium eve! (whilst living in a shared house) I can categorically say that I would have preferred the (thought provoking) shock of a Police presence - compared with the shock of having my home completely ransacked - with many valuable (and personal) belongings taken. I agree with June's reaction to ExeterGirls need to keep her windows and doors open - you don't live in rural Hampshire! - you live in a city! please take some responsibility! - you mention the Police's need to catch real criminals - but you don't seem to realise that your lacklustre approach to home security is providing criminals with an infinite well of resources to continue with their criminal activity. You have utterly missed the bigger picture.
Lets not forget that burglary is linked to a cycle of crime. Opportunist burglars are more likely to be linked with other sorts of crime (including drugs) - If this initiative can cause us to take more responsibility then it directly effects the 'income' that fuels broader criminal activity - so, in the long run the 'little older lady' (that Kester mentions) benefits totally.
This innovative and thought provoking approach taken by the police has been effective in another way - we're all talking about home-security!! I'm not sure how intentional this was, but as a reader of the Express and Echo I have rarely seen these comments pages look so lively! Thankyou.”
by June Player, Bath (ex St James resident )
Monday, March 22 2010, 8:49PM
“I agree completely with Anon, Exeter and wonder why the majority of you are so uptight about the 'action' taken to basically shock people into taking responsibilty for themselves and their belongings! Sorry to say this ExeterGirl, but your 'Why should we feel bad for keeping our windows open in our own homes?' is rather silly 'cos it's not a question of feeling bad, it's a question of having some sense - unless you are happy to be robbed and will not complain about it afterwards!”
by anon, exeter
Monday, March 22 2010, 6:42PM
“St James is an area with about 60% student population, many of whom live in multi-occupancy accomodation - privately rented houses they share with up to 6 or 7 other students. From a burglars point of view these are a) easy to spot b) really easy to break into and c) have not just one of everything worth nicking but several. Laptops, iPods, xboxes, wii etc. Rich pickings and easy pickings to because student houses are easy to rob. If you're sat upstairs and you hear someone downstairs you think it's your housemate. It might not be... Rather (in the case of this operation) it was the police announcing themselves and getting you to lock the door before the next, not so honesst visitor makes use of it to relieve you of your laptop etc.
We enjoy complaining crime rates but what are we actually doing to prevent them? As in stopping the crime before it happens? Using shock tactics to teach people to just lock their doors is perfectly legitimate surely? Ask not what the police can do for us but what can we do for ourselves? If I'm daft enough to leave my door unlocked in the centre of town then I'd be more than happy to see a copper or a PCSO rather than a burglar just interested in getting enough for his next fix!”
by Kester, E.Devon
Monday, March 22 2010, 5:23PM
“Unsecured Homes ¿burgled¿ by Police ?
Whilst I applaud their innovative approach, I think this invasion of ¿the home¿ is a step too far and I wonder where I would stand in law if I tw@¿d one of them with a baseball bat? ¿
But consider for a moment this scenario; Little Old Lady cowering in fear in her bedroom, aware of intruders downstairs, yet unable to get to a phone to summon help?
It doesn¿t bear thinking about and clearly our constabulary hasn¿t thought it through!”
by Kester, E. Devon
Monday, March 22 2010, 5:21PM
“Unsecured Homes ¿burgled¿ by Police ?
IWhilst I applaud their innovative approach, I think this invasion of ¿the home¿ is a step too far and I wonder where I would stand in law if I tw@¿d one of them with a baseball bat? ¿
But consider for a moment this scenario; Little Old Lady cowering in fear in her bedroom, aware of intruders downstairs, yet unable to get to a phone to summon help?
It doesn¿t bear thinking about and clearly our constabulary hasn¿t thought it through!”
by Hazel D., Heavitree, Exeter
Monday, March 22 2010, 1:40PM
“I can see the value in what they are doing - it would certainly wake you up to being more careful. The only problem I can see is that in the same way you feel violated when you have been burgled,(I know!) so you would feel that way even if it was a policeman who has been in your home. A policeman is still an intruder whatever the motive and the thought of him rummaging in my possessions is abhorrent. A card through the door would be more appreciated. Imagine being asleep eg not well and you suddenly hear voices in your home you'd have a heart attack, or nightmares for months on end. Maybe they should rethink this idea?”
by GM, St James
Monday, March 22 2010, 1:22PM
“This is an absolute joke! Once again the police force demonstrates how useless they actually are. Why should we be forced to barricade ourselves in our own homes. By the way, what actual powers do these community offices have?”
by ExeterGirl, Exeter
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:52PM
“Why should we feel bad for keeping our windows open in our own homes?! Id rather police spent their time catching the criminals rather than tell the innocent members of the public ways to make it more difficult for the burglars. If the police caught the criminals and punised them accordingly their wouldnt be a problem and they wouldnt have to waste their time and our taxpayers money on pointless exercises like 'breaking into peoples homes to highlight their vulnerablity to burglary' !!!!”