Police warn Swindon residents after spate of recent burglaries
Image by Steffen Salow from Pixabay
Wiltshire police are urging Swindon residents to be vigilant after a spate of burglaries occurred in the area within recent weeks.
Nine burglaries have been reported in different areas in and around Swindon, such as Biddestone Avenue, Coate Water, Weirside in Wroughton, Cricklade, and Blunsdon. The Burglary Unit of Wiltshire Police has conducted thorough investigations and believes these incidents are connected.
Police believe that the burglars target visibly unoccupied houses, particularly those on the town’s outskirts with easy access to the A419 or M4.
“The offenders are targeting houses often on the periphery of Swindon with easy access to the A419 or the M4 between the hours of 6 PM and 8 PM,” said Detective Sergeant James Rodrigues of the Burglary Unit.
“Of course, we’d always encourage residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious vehicles or people in their area so we can take action quickly. Always ring 999 if you believe a burglary is in progress and give as much detail in relation to vehicles and offender descriptions as possible.”
The force is actively conducting investigations to identify those responsible for the incidents. Detective Inspector Sarah Champion said her team works diligently with neighbouring law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and face appropriate consequences.
This warning came two weeks after the police warned residents in Swindon and the surrounding villages about a recent spike in car thefts. The force received many reports of cars being broken into and items stolen as they were left unlocked.
The reports mainly came from villages around Swindon, such as Wroughton, Broad Hinton, and Winterbourne Bassett.
“I’d like to remind everyone that even if you don’t live in an urban area like Swindon, it is still important to protect yourself and keep your vehicles and belongings secure,” said Police Constable Matthew Price.
“It may sound obvious, but please remember to lock your vehicles when you leave them, even for a second, and never leave any valuables or presents on display in your vehicles. You should also avoid leaving your car open and unattended, even briefly and on your own driveway.”
Is Swindon safe?
In the year ending July 2022, the Office for National Statistics reported a crime rate of 6,820 incidents per 100,000 population in Swindon. This period saw 15,939 reported incidents, marking a 214 increase compared to the previous year.
Swindon recorded 3,979 theft incidents in the year ending July 2022, resulting in a theft crime rate of 1,703. This translates to a 1.70 percent annual likelihood of experiencing a theft incident in Swindon.
With this data, Swindon ranks as the 20th safest among the 59 unitary authorities in England when sorted by violent crime rate and the 19th safest when sorted by theft crime rate.
However, the recent spike in crime, especially burglary, is a reminder that anyone can be a victim of crime, regardless of where they live. This is because irresponsible criminals are willing to target anyone and any place should opportunities arise.
To keep yourself safe, especially if you live in a high-value house or own high-value items, you can follow the advice from Detective Sergeant Rodrigues.
“They (burglars) are targeting houses that look visibly unoccupied, so we are urging residents to be mindful of this when leaving their homes, even if it’s just to pop out briefly – leave lights on inside and if you can, ensure a car is parked in your driveway,” Rodrigues said.
He also advised everyone to consider approaching neighbours who own multiple vehicles and ask if they would be willing to use your driveway when you are away to make it seem like you’re home. Installing doorbell or CCTV cameras on your property is also recommended.
If you need extra protection, seek assistance from security companies such as Marengo, which can tailor a customised security plan for your home.
Source:
https://swindonlink.com/news/burglary-new-advice/
https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23855616.swindon-residents-warned-police-car-theft-spike/
https://www.varbes.com/crime/swindon-crime
https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/get-daily/the-city-safety-index/
