| Homeowners will have advance warning of habitual housebreakers operating in their community as police target vulnerable areas with a new mail shot.
The scheme is part of Operation IMPACT — Improving our Performance Against Crime in Tayside — aimed at reducing the levels housebreaking and vehicle related crime in Perth and Kinross.
It will focus on raising public awareness of crime trends within the community and provide valuable advice on house security and property marking.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin MacKay, head of Western Division CID, said, “Although the level of housebreaking within the Perth and Kinross area is relatively low and we don’t want to instil an unnecessary fear of crime, we hope to further reduce the number of homes broken into with the help of the community.
“By following some simple crime prevention advice, householders can make their homes a less attractive target for thieves.”
Within 48 hours of a burglary being committed, other householders in the immediate vicinity can expect a police information pack to drop through their letterboxes.
As well as a personal letter informing them of the local break-in, there will be a property safety information leaflet, advice on marking valuable property and an ultra-violet pen to do so.
DCI MacKay added, “Even though we do recover a great amount of stolen property, we don’t always know where to return it. By marking it with a postcode, it will make its way back to the owner.
“We are happy to check out suspicious behaviour even if nine out of ten times, there is nothing in it because we are just looking for that one time where the information could lead to solving this, and perhaps several crimes.”
More information about household security and property marking can be obtained from the Crime Reduction Unit in Perth, on 01738 892642, or local police offices. |
