Cumbria Constabulary said it was ‘fully behind’ a national commitment by police chiefs to attend all home burglaries – with such crimes already receiving specialist CID expertise in this county.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council made the announcement today.
The Cumbrian force said that already in the county, every burglary where someone’s home is entered is already investigated by a detective.
The number of domestic burglaries in the county have also fallen in recent years, down to 911 in the 12 months up to April, compared to 1,375 in 2019/2020.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Stalker said: “We recognise that being burgled, especially in your home, can be extremely traumatic and distressing.
“We have always taken this type of offence extremely seriously. It’s not just about the loss of possessions, we know people want to feel safe in their homes and any intrusion can ruin this peace of mind.
“In Cumbria Constabulary, we already make this type of offence a priority and ensure every residential burglary where a person’s home is entered is allocated to detectives in our CID teams, so they get these officers’ specialist expertise from the outset.”
Burglaries at homes across Cumbria are often spontaneous crimes carried out by thieves trying door handles or reaching in through open windows.
Detective Chief Supt Stalker added: “Simple steps such as locking doors, not leaving out-of-sight windows open and not leaving valuable possessions in view of potential thieves can be effective in preventing incidents.
“We would also encourage you to be vigilant and report suspicious activity you witness. By reporting information, this not only helps inform us of potential criminal behaviour but it can lead to robust action being taken and offenders being brought to justice.”
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call 101.
