Gardaí have issued key tips on preventing burglaries with the start of Daylight Saving Time.
Earlier and longer darker evenings are prime time for burglars, according to gardaí.
In winter, there is a propensity for burglary to occur in the hours of 4pm to 9pm. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the most likely days for burglaries to occur in winter.
Gardaí are in their winter phase of Operation Thor to tackle the anticipated increase in burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur in winter. This initiative has led to a significant decline in property related crime since its introduction in 2015.
Simple steps can help protect your home, so whether you are at home or going out remember:
- Turn on some lights
- Use timer switches
- Lock all doors and windows
- Use an alarm
- Store keys away from windows
- Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house
Commenting on the current Operation Thor Winter Phase, Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll with responsibility for Organised & Serious Crime said: “A residential Burglary has a particularly devastating effect on its victims. Through the winter phase of Operation Thor An Garda Síochána continues to focus efforts on interrupting and preventing burglary and related crime and to impact on the activities of criminals involved in the commission of this crime.”
