Surge in business burglaries in Dereham and Swaffham prompts new police operation
Martin George
Thursday, February 7, 2013
3.40 PM
A surge in the number of Breckland businesses being targetted by burglars has prompted a special police operation.
Police burglary prevention advice
Police have issued burglary prevention advice for businesses in the Breckland area following a sharp increase in the number of thefts since the new year.
Their tips include:
Regularly review your procedures to ensure that your property is well protected
Be on the look out for unusual or suspicious behaviour and contact the police
Encourage your staff to be security minded at work
Establish contact with all neighbouring businesses, stay in contact with the police and stop these criminals in their tracks
Security mark valuable equipment
Don’t leave expensive items out on display
Remember to lock all doors and windows when the unit is unoccupied
Consider fitting tracker devices to plant, machinery and other vehicles
The problem has centred on Dereham, which has seen 16 break-ins so far this year, and Swaffham, which has seen nine.
Those affected have included Swaffham Rugby Club and Swaffham Golf Club, and L T K Jewellers in Dereham.
Operation Bombay, which started this month, includes extra officers to focus on main transport links and vulnerable locations, and increased patrols around affected areas.
Police said places affected are mainly business locations and rural farms and outbuildings, including social clubs, industrial estates, building sites and derelict buildings.
Crime prevention advice includes making contact with neighbouring businesses, security marking valuable equipment, not leaving expensive items on display, locking doors and windows when units are unoccupied, and the use of tracker devices on plant, machinery and other vehicles.
Call 101 for site-specific advice and to report suspicious activity. Call 999 if a crime is in progress.