BURGLARIES rise by up to 20% during the winter months with one in six winter time burglaries involving entry through an unsecured access point, gardaí in Clare have warned.
According to Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks, “Operation Thor is a nationwide Garda operation which increases the number of Garda patrols carried out during the winter months in an effort to prevent burglaries from rising.
Unfortunately, they do rise by up to 20% during the winter months. Operation Thor was first launched in 2015 and it has proven to be very successful in the fight against household burglaries and related crimes.
It is hoped that people will feel safer in their homes but of course they too have a part to play in crime prevention.”
She has issued advice on how home owners can make their homes more secure.
“Whether at home or going out, turn on some lights, use timer switches. We are coming into the dark winter months and any criminal would presume that if a house is in darkness there isn’t anybody at home and so it makes a very attractive target.
“Lock all doors and windows – always use your house alarm if you are going out. Store keys safely – away from windows and letterboxes. Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home.”