Campaign aims to prevent burglaries

The aim is to highlight the devastating impact that burglary can have on victims of this crime and comes as part of Operation Julius, a countywide burglary crackdown focussed on preventing crime, targeting criminals and detecting burglaries.

The campaign will run across the county during the whole of August and includes posters, adverts, outdoor media and social media activity. Officers will also be doing extra patrols in hotspot areas and targeting known offenders.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Bates said: “Burglary is not a crime against the property but the person.

“It can have a truly devastating effect on how people feel in their own homes; often leaving that person feeling vulnerable, scared and anxious.

“It can also have a profound impact on the local community.

“We know that more than one in three burglaries happen when a property has been left insecure; and during the summer months when the weather is nice, people are more inclined to take extra risks, by leaving a window open for instance.

“This campaign is about raising awareness of the impact that a burglary can have on the victims and making people think – no one ever considers that it could happen to them.

“We want to encourage people to take some simple steps to help themselves and reduce their chances of becoming a victim. The message from the campaign is clear: Be wise at home. Keep your windows and doors locked.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: “Tackling crime is one of my key priorities in my police and crime plan and that is why I am supporting this campaign.

To report anything suspicious please call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Visit www.lancashire.police.uk/burglary.