There has been a fall of more than 100 reported break-ins of homes, outbuildings and businesses between 2012 and 2014 – from 297 to 179.
The drop coincides with the start of the States police operation named Operation Hornet, which was launched to reduce the number of break-ins following a rise in thefts from kiosks and building sites in 2011.
Detective Inspector Steve Langford said the operation was ongoing and focused on criminals who make careers out of burglaries.
The detective, who believes the fall in reported burglaries can be directly linked to work done under Operation Hornet, said the investigation is intelligence-led and they rely on working closely with other agencies to identify potential offenders.
‘We started Operation Hornet some years ago and it is still ongoing because we recognise the impact burglaries can have on the Island.
‘We work to identify these types of offenders and keep an eye out when certain offenders are released from prison,’ he said
Det Insp Langford said the sentencing of Kevin John Falle in the Royal Court last month was an example of the success of the operation.
Falle was jailed for four years for 24 burglary-related crimes.
Asked if he could put a figure on the number of career burglars that the police are aware of and/or tracking, Det Insp Langford said it was difficult to quantify but due to the reduction in the number of burglaries he believed it was now ‘fewer than ten’.
So far this year there have been 125 reported burglaries.
A total of 60 of them involved residential dwellings and 24 concerned garages, outbuildings and gardens.
The remaining 41 incidents involved locations such as industrial sites, shops, tourist accommodation and medical-related buildings.
Make it difficult for the burglar
Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In 2 out of 10 burglaries, they don’t even have to use force – they get in through an open door or window.
Fit strong locks to your doors and windows and make sure you always keep them fully locked. If you are replacing or fitting new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (windows) or PAS 24-1 (doors).
Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes, ask yourself:
- how would you get in if youd forgotten your keys?
- if you can get in, so can a burglar
- are there places where they could break in without being seen?
- would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?
When you go on holiday make sure you inform a neighbour or your parish hall. Fill in the form below and drop it in.
Doors and windows
Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes: are there places where they could break in unseen? Have you got strong locks fitted on your doors and windows?
Unlocked windows and doors are a way in for 80% of opportunist burglars in Jersey. Lock up before you go out.
- fit key-operated window locks where possible to all downstairs windows, as well as all windows which cant be seen from the street
- fit a special louvre lock to any louvre windows – these windows are especially vulnerable because the slats can be removed easily from the frame
- secure all doors and make sure door frames are in strong and good condition
Garage and garden security
Garages usually contain valuables and may even have an integral door which could offer a thief access to your home. Invest in a good alarm system and locks. In your garden, be aware that items such as solar lights, garden furniture and even shrubs and water features can be attractive to thieves.
- put trellising on top of fences and walls for further protection
- gravel paths deter thieves because of the noise made while walking
- never leave spare keys hidden in your garage, shed or garden
- good lighting deters intruders: consider lights with dusk to dawn sensors
A FEW years ago, the police changed the name of their crime prevention unit – officers who offer advice about a whole range of things from fitting locks on windows to carrying rape alarms – to the crime reduction unit.
At the time, it seemed like an admission of defeat.
However, the news that resources are being invested in proactively preventing crime and public nuisance offers welcome reassurance.
For years, people bemoaned the fact that there were not enough bobbies out on the beat, officers who were well known pillars of their community.
In Jersey, effective intelligence gathering coupled with a proactive community policing team is having a very positive impact, cutting crime and reassuring residents.
Crime prevention is alive and well.
But more than that, excellent officers led by Inspector Mark Coxshall and including PCs Jo Carter, Carly Bolton, Lisa Howard and Chris Ingham are working day in, day out to build essential relationships that can divert people away from crime.
They are out and about in schools, on the streets, in parks and on housing estates to help build a better community.
In the past six months, there has been a 20 per cent drop in crime and antisocial behaviour.
In today’s report, Insp Coxshall said: ‘It is about outreach and making an officer identifiable to the public, so we can personalise the police and put a face to it.’
He could not be more right – especially in a small community like Jersey.
