Warning after shock jump in Telford burglaries
Burglaries in Telford have "spiked", with almost twice as many crimes as expected in the past week.
There were 24 burglaries reported to Telford police over the period, and officers are now reminding householders to make sure their homes are secure.
Detective Inspector Jonathan Matthews, who leads the burglary unit in Telford, said: "Although burglaries have remained relatively rare in Telford & Wrekin in recent months, in the last week 24 offences have been reported to us – almost twice as many as trends suggest we can expect.
"Trench, Donnington and Dawley seem to be the areas that have suffered the most significant spike in burglaries and additional resources are being used to target these spikes.
"Although we will be working hard to address the increase in break-ins, once again I'd like to remind people that up to half of all burglaries are committed by thieves who enter the house through an unlocked door or an open window.
"The recent spike once again fits with this pattern so it really is vital that people think of their home security as much as they can."
He added: "Experience tells us that burglars often live reasonably close to their victims. They work a local patch and will return to or near to properties they have already broken into.
"This means the reality is that most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves.
"I would once again ask each and every person in the borough to spend a little time considering how they can make their home more secure."
More detailed crime prevention advice is available on the West Mercia website www.westmercia.police.uk/ and the Operation Citadel anti-burglary campaign can be followed on Twitter through @CitadelWMP
