A new initiative has been launched to combat a recent surge in house burglaries by thieves are forcing open sliding patio doors.
‘Operation Wellington: Give Burglars the Boot’ was launched on Monday, March 19, by Merton police who have pledged to use a range of tactics to combat what they described as a “significant increase” in breaking and entering.
The recent spike in burglaries has highlighted a new trend where offenders target premises from the rear, using a technique to force open sliding patio doors.
Detective Sergeant Theresa Foster, leading Merton’s Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team (BRIT) said: “If you have a sliding patio door, don’t just rely on the central lock supplied – why not fit extra security locks to the top and bottoms of the opening section of the patio door, and check your door has an anti-lifting device.
“If the glass isn’t laminated, fit an appropriate window film which does the job. All these items are easily available from any DIY store for a few pounds, and might help bring your house insurance costs down.”
Councillor Maurice Groves, who represents Lower Morden - statistically the safest ward in the borough – said part of the burglary problem was due to the design of housing estates in some areas of the borough.
Coun Groves said: “The problem in an area like Lower Morden is you’ve got these back alleyways which are seen as a soft touch by entrepreneurial criminals.
“These housing estates were built in the 1930s and, to be honest, would not be allowed to be designed today because of security concerns.
“If the back alleyway gate is left open, it may mean a burglar can do three or four houses in one go.”
To contact local Safer Neighbourhoods Team call 0300 123 1212. For more information visit met.police.org.uk.
What do you think should be done to tackle increases in burglary? Leave a comment below or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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