Wokingham Burglaries Down
A Sharp fall in the number of burglaries in Wokingham during the past year has prompted police to re-emphasise the borough is a safe place to live.
Figures released by police show the number of homes burgled in the borough between February 2009 and January 2010 is 29.5 per cent down on the number of incidents the previous year. Inspector Lindsay James, deputy commander of Wokingham police, said successful operations to tackle burglary had resulted in 248 fewer break- ins being committed during the last year.
Insp James said: “The message to the wider public in our borough in terms of burglary in relation to fear of crime is that we are having less burglaries. But it is crucial for us to eliminate any concerns or worries people may have about being burgled.”
The reason for the improvement, according to Inspector PJ Binns, is down to the force carrying out more high profile street briefings and the introduction of SmartWater. which is a forensic substance used to mark property.
Operations such as Outreach, where victims and neighbours are visited by an officer after a burglary, and Breaker, where serial burglars are targeted, have also helped, according to Insp Binns.