Gardaí are urging Clare householders to take extra steps to secure their home over the coming months.
Burglaries traditionally surge by around 20% during winter, when daylight hours are at the lowest level, with this type of crime most likely between the hours of 5pm and 9pm between Thursday and Saturday.
The Winter Phase of Operation Thor is now underway and it targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through coordinated crime prevention and enforcement based on intelligence and latest trends.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Tríona Brooks says they’ll be focusing on five main areas to reduce burglary incidents and protect communities:
- Crime Prevention & Protecting Communities
- Crime Investigation & Operational Activity
- Working in Partnership with all partner agencies in local and national Government
- Education & Awareness.
- Victim Support
Sergeant Brooks says it’s important to remember that whether you’re at home or going out, you should take the following steps:
- Turn on some lights, LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs.
- Use timer switches/ motion detectors
- Lock all doors and windows
- Use an alarm
- Store keys away from windows
- Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house
