Making it too easy for them (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Making it too easy for them

PEOPLE in Swindon are making life too easy for burglars, according to local police. Seventy homes in the town fell victim to crooks in November and many of the thefts could have been easily prevented, they say.

Of the break-ins, 33 were as a result of people not shutting their doors and windows properly.

Chief Inspector Paul Williams, of Swindon Police, said: "This is just what the burglar is looking for.

"Most burglars are opportunists who do not plan their crimes. They are constantly looking for an easy chance to enter a property through a door or window that has been carelessly left open.

"A burglar doesn't want to go to the effort of forcing or breaking doors and windows because of the noise and possible attention this brings."

Police are particularly concerned that people take more care with Christmas around the corner.

Chief Inspector Williams said: "Presents look very attractive when they are laid out around the Christmas tree.

"If they can be seen through a window by anyone passing, there is a perfect invitation for the opportunist burglar.

"I urge people to take responsibility for their property otherwise it's like taking candy from a baby for the burglar who has no respect whatsoever for other people's property.

"Often, at this time of year, people go out leaving Christmas tree lights on with the curtains half-drawn and presents on display.

"This is a signal to a potential burglar that the house is unoccupied and well worth breaking into.

"We can all be complacent but my officers see first-hand the devastating impact that the theft of Christmas presents has on a family.

"There is not only the theft, but the intrusion into someone's home which can have an emotional effect that remains well after Christmas."

Patty Holt, Swindon Police Neighbourhood Watch officer, urged people to make use of Neighbourhood Watch schemes. For more information call Patty on 01793 507864.

'It's a horrible thing to go through'

In September a thief broke in to the home of Nuno Pinto in Alfred Street after he left a downstairs window open when he went to work.

The culprit, heroin addict Jason Croke, of Penhill, who stole cash, DVDs and Playstation games, was caught by police but for Mr Pinto, 29, and his wife and two children, the damage had already been done. He said: "People should listen to the police's advice.

"It's a horrible thing to have to go through.

"My wife was on holiday at the time and she didn't want to come home when I told her what had happened. It made her scared to come home.

"The guy that broke into my house was found but not everyone gets caught.

"It's best just to not have to go through it in the first place."

Gareth Bethell