Over the Christmas period there was a spate of ‘Non Dwelling Burglaries’ to Garages and Sheds, and this peaked at several a week. There were also a number of house burglaries too. The good news is that the police have targeted a number of offenders and this has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of burglaries to less than one a week to Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle. A very encouraging reduction, but the Police are working to reduce this further.
Inspector Humphries who currently leads the police team in our local Parishes has very kindly provided the following information about this which gives an excellent update on what is being done.
Over the whole of the last year (1st Apr 13 – 31st Mar 14) Horndean has seen an increase in burglary offences, both dwelling and non dwelling (a total of 78 compared to 45 the previous year.) This increase is attributable largely to the spate from Xmas into the New Year. In relation to these we have a number of people remanded in prison awaiting trial and we don’t realistically expect to see them again over the next year at least. There are also a couple of offenders that have been displaced elsewhere and I am hopeful they won’t return to the area although we are keeping an eye on that.
Below are all of the reported dwelling and non dwelling burglaries for Horndean over the last two months:
11/03/14 – Southdown Road – Shed
13/03/14 – Lovedean Lane – Shed
19/03/14 – Lith Lane – Out building on building site
20/03/14 – Catherington Lane – Caravan in storage site
07/04/14 – New Barn Farm Lane – Farm Building
20/04/14 – Mundays Road – Attempt to gain entry to rear of house
21/04/14 – Catherington Lane – Attempt to enter garage
There have been none at all in Clanfield and Rowlands Castle has 5, one on 08/03/14 in Castle Rd to an out building and 4 in Redhill Rd on night of 15/04/14 to one commercial premises and 3 houses.
Whilst this is a return to much lower levels I would still prefer there to be nothing at all and the team are still working on raising awareness in the area which is where the perception of an increase may have come from. Also particularly in relation to outbuildings this can see a seasonal increase from this time of year into the summer (not just in Horndean but force wide) and so I would like people to be more aware of security to outbuildings and sheds at this time of year anyhow.
Generally we find that many people take a great deal of trouble in securing their home but leave valuable garden tools and cycles in sheds that are either unlocked or not maintained.
Garden crime is becoming more and more common. Tools such as lawn mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, power tools and bikes are expensive items to replace and may incur the victim extra insurance premiums. This can also be an open invitation for thieves to use garden implements to break into their house or car.
High burglary rates from sheds indicate that they are not only easy to break into but there is a large market for the stolen contents. With this in mind, consider if the property kept inside would be better stored elsewhere.
If you can help with information about any of the burglaries above then please call Hampshire Constabulary on 101.
Inspector Dave Humphries
