Bromley police arrests 77 burglary suspects in total war on crime (From News Shopper)

Bromley police arrests 77 burglary suspects in total war on crime

4:55pm Sunday 8th July 2012 in Bromley By Robert Fisk

SEVENTY-SEVEN suspected burglars have been arrested across Bromley borough in the last two months, as part of an on-going initiative.

It is part of the Met’s Total War on Crime and aims to identify and bring to justice those committing burglaries in Bromley.

All suspects are currently being processed through the criminal justice system.

Bromley police’s deputy borough commander Detective Superintendent Jo Oakley said: “We want to take this opportunity to raise people’s awareness of how to keep their homes safe.

“Burglary on the whole is an opportunist crime, with 36 per cent of burglaries resulting from insecure properties.

“A burglar will select homes that present the best opportunity for their crime to go undetected and with the fewest obstacles in their way.

“Don’t let your home become a target. “Help us to protect your home by taking simple steps such as using timers to turn lights and radios on, fitting alarms, making sure homes are properly locked and by keeping valuables and presents out of view.

“While prevention is vital, we recognise the need to target known or suspected burglars and are constantly working across many fronts to increase our effectiveness in tackling burglary.

“We use the national fingerprint identification database and extensive DNA procedures to raise the number of offenders identified through forensic intervention at all burglary scenes.

“We also maximise the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover stolen money and property that is the result of criminal activity by convicted offenders.

“We also ensure that we make the best use of dynamic intelligence profiling and operational assets to come up with bespoke plans to tackle specific burglary issues that may arise in a particular area.

I would like to appeal for the continued support from the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to us.”

Police are keen to identify premises where stolen property from burglaries is being taken to, as well as identifying those responsible for committing break-ins.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Bromley police’s burglary squad on 020 8284 8859 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.