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Kent police launches burglary campaign in Swale to raise awareness and catch offenders

A campaign to raise awareness about burglaries is running in Swale.

Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Thames Valley police forces, have been co-ordinating activities to catch offenders and offer crime prevention advice to residents as part of a three-week initiative, which runs until November 16.

PCSOs are visiting victims to issue reassurance and provide them with equipment, such as security marking pens, alarms and timer switches, to help them protect their property.

Burglars entering a home. Stock image
Burglars entering a home. Stock image

Predictive policing, a tool that analyses data to identify locations where crime and anti-social behaviour is most likely to occur, is also being used to carry out patrols to deter opportunist criminals.

In addition officers are visiting jewellers and offering advice they can share with customers about security marking valuable items and are working closely with pawnbrokers to offer advice on what to do if they receive items they suspect have been stolen.

DCI Ann Lisseman said: “We have specialist teams of detectives across Swale who are dedicated to disrupting burglary networks and bringing them to justice.

'Specialist teams': DCI Ann Lisseman
'Specialist teams': DCI Ann Lisseman

“The three-week targeted campaign allows us to focus extra efforts on advising residents what they can do to keep their property safe.

“Opportunist criminals will strike at any point of the day and ensuring doors and windows are shut and locked will help deter them.

“I would also encourage people to security mark their items in case they are stolen.

“Items that have been security marked and recovered are easier to reunite with their rightful owners.”

“Opportunist criminals will strike at any point of the day and ensuring doors and windows are shut and locked will help deter them" - DCI Ann Lisseman.

For the last 24 months more than 740 burglaries and attempted break-ins have been brought to the attention of this paper.

The latest incident are as follows:

An IKEA toolbox and it contents stolen from a shed at allotments in Riddles Road, Borden, between October 26 to 27 – XY/038131/14.

Between October 27 and 28, an attempted burglary of a shed at an address in Roberts Close, Sittingbourne – XY/038164/14.

Kenwood sat navs and a Tower PC stolen from JCB Sittingbourne in St Michaels Road, between October 25-27 - XY/038159/14.

Fireworks, cash and a traders’ apron taken from a garden plant centre to the rear of West Street, Sittingbourne, between October 30-31 – XY/038461/14.

If you can help investigators call 101 and quote the relevant crime number.

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