Operation Arctic

Thames Valley Police has been working in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) to launch Operation Arctic this month which will focus on tackling and raising awareness of winter time burglary.

The operation will run until February 2014 to combat burglaries and target those who commit these crimes during the darker winter months.

As the darker nights are drawing in and the clocks go back on Sunday 27/10, it is important to think about following these simple steps to help to prevent your home from becoming the next target by opportunist criminals:

• Using timer switches help to give the impression that your home is occupied.
• Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com. Its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief
• Ensure that desirable items such as I-pad, I-phones, Laptops, PlayStations and jewellery are keep away from view so as not to attract attention.
• Invest in some additional locks for windows and back doors to improve security, remember if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it, and turn the key in the door whilst in the house.
• A burglar alarm is still one of the best deterrents.

Insp James Davies,said: “Aylesbury Vale has seen a seven percent reduction in burglary dwellings, since April 2013. However, as the nights draw in, we need to start to re-visit security measures to keep safe and deter opportunist burglars that intend to use the cover of darkness to commit crime.

“We aim to raise awareness of winter time burglary and we will be working in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council to provide local residents with vital crime prevention advice, to help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime during the upcoming winter period.

“The neighbourhood teams will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the town and the rural areas. The team will also be carrying out a series of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations during the winter period and proactively patrolling burglary hot spot areas to target known offenders.

“If you have any concerns or just want some advice and information, approach your local neighbourhood officers who will be there to assist you.”

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “Being the victim of burglary is upsetting for those involved, we want homeowners to think carefully about home security and take some personal responsibility, Prevention is the message we want to get across.”

You can also follow us on Twitter @TVP_Aylesbury for crime prevention tips during the operation

If you see anyone acting suspiciously around a property or outbuilding please report this to the police via the 101 number.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.