By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 16:59, Thursday, 07 February 2013

The number of burglaries is going up in the west of Carlisle – and police chiefs are urging residents to do all they can to thwart thieves.

Insp Tony Quinn

Force figures show there were 27 raids during January in a patch covering areas such as Denton Holme, Raffles, Belle Vue, Currock and Upperby.

This was slightly up on December, when there were 26, and up again on November, when 16 were reported.

A report on city crime figures recently stated that almost 60 per cent of house burglaries were the result of doors and windows being left unlocked.

Police say they want to hammer home this message so that residents do their best to help themselves.

Inspector Tony Quinn, the police chief in the west of the city, said: “Burglary is a really nasty crime.

“House crime is invasive and is devastating to many people, who feel as though they cannot feel comfortable in their own home after it has been attacked.

“Recently up to 60 per cent of house burglaries were because the house was not secure, so the main advice is to lock doors and windows at night when you go to bed.

“During the day doors should be locked even when you are in the house.”

Burglaries in January included an incident when would-be crooks got into a house in Marks Avenue, Raffles, but failed to steal anything and the theft of a wallet from a house in Holme Terrace, Denton Holme.

Police believe a lot of raids are the result of crooks just taking a chance. “Opportunist burglars do not need to be very clever,” said Insp Quinn.

“It is a simple method to walk down a street of houses and try each door as you pass. Invariably one will be left unlocked.

“Good quality locks should be fitted to doors and outside security lighting works very well to deter crime.”

For more advice call police on 101.

NGriffiths@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 16:58, Thursday, 07 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk