Gardai are warning homeowners that burglaries are on the rise in the run-up to the Christmas period.
Operations are taking place countrywide to track down and stop burglars, however gardai want citizens to do their best to make their home safer.
The force has been sending out a five point plan across their social media channels of the things you should and should not do when leaving your home unoccupied.
One of the requests is that people don't leave their keys or valuables at the door - which many do - as it makes life easier for criminals.
Here is the five-point list;
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Light up your home, use timer switches when out.
- Store keys safely and away from windows and letterboxes.
- Record details of valuables and don't keep large cash amounts at home.
- Use your alarm, even when at home.
Commenting on the current Operation Thor Winter Phase, Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll with responsibility for Organised & Serious Crime said: "A residential Burglary has a particularly devastating effect on its victims.
"Through the winter phase of Operation Thor An Garda Síochána continues to focus efforts on interrupting and preventing burglary and related crime and to impact on the activities of criminals involved in the commission of this crime.”
Gardai's new Operation Thor Winter Phase will continue to focus on five main areas to reduce burglary incidents and protect communities.
1. Crime Prevention & Protecting Communities: by means of visible focused patrols at specific times of day, targeting burglary ‘hot-spots’ intelligence gathering on known offenders, high-visibility check points to prevent ease of movement, strong crime prevention communications and reassurance with communities.
2. Crime Investigation & Operational Activity: by ensuring every burglary is appropriately investigated to the highest possible standard, monitoring crime data daily for changes in trends of burglaries, associated crimes and detection rates. Utilising all intelligence data to inform burglary prevention strategies.
3. Working in Partnership: by continuing to work with all partner agencies in local and national Government and in particular with communities by means of offering crime prevention advice and reassurance of the availability of An Garda Síochána.
4. Education & Awareness: by the use of community policing strategies to interact with young people and work to divert them from involvement in crime. An Garda Síochána will continue to utilise social media, community engagement and organised campaigns to inform people on how they can enhance the security of their homes and property. An Garda Síochána will continue the national ‘Lock Up/Light Up’ campaign supported by local awareness activity.
5. Victim Support: by keeping the victim central to the overall operation and providing professional support, advice and regular case updates to victims.
