By Chris Story

Last updated at 13:31, Thursday, 02 December 2010

Police patrols are being stepped up in a bid to stop thieves cashing in on Christmas and spoiling families’ festive season.

Cumbria’s force chiefs also revealed that they had recovered £1,700 of stolen property as part of investigations into a spate of burglaries in north Allerdale.

And they have issued a warning to householders, saying: “Don’t let thieves spoil your Christmas” and urged them to keep possessions “safe, hidden and locked”.

Police teams across the county are distributing a festive flyer, with tips on how to keep valuables, cars and houses safe at a time when burglaries traditionally increase.

PC Simon Evans, of north Cumbria’s community safety squad, said: “By following these messages, you can hopefully have a crime-free Christmas.”

Crime-cutting efforts in the area will include the promotion of a website – www.immobilise.com – that allows people to register property for free, recording unique information that can be used by police to trace owners of stolen property.”

A targeted operation will continue in west Cumbria following a rise in shed and outhouse burglaries there.

Patrols have been stepped up to provide 24-hour presence in places including Aspatria, Silloth and Wigton following a 15 burglaries in the area between November 1 and 23.

That operation, which has included house and shed alarms being available at reduced prices, has already led to eight arrests, £1,700 of property being recovered and no more burglaries reported.

Inspector Dennis Kelly, who heads west Cumbria’s burglary action team, said: “We are raising awareness of the importance of securing homes effectively and asking for the community’s help to provide us with information if they see anything or anyone acting suspiciously.

“If you see something, please call us. Your small piece of information could help us to build up an intelligence picture and could mean that we can intervene and stop a crime from happening.”

Cumbria had 74 less victims or burglary between April and October – a 16 per cent drop on the same period in 2009. There was also a 19 per cent fall in burglaries – equal to 205 crimes.

First published at 11:38, Thursday, 02 December 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk