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Operation Breaker - tackling burglary

Operation Breaker is a Forcewide campaign to reduce the number of burglaries across the Thames Valley and improve the Force’s response to burglary and build on best practice.

Detective Superintendent Barry Halliday, who is leading Operation Breaker, said: “Thames Valley Police has made good progress in tackling serious acquisitive crime (including robbery and vehicle crime), which has fallen over the past year. However, this masks the fact that recorded incidents of domestic burglary are still too high.

“Operation Breaker is a concerted effort to bring down the number of burglaries across the Thames Valley and make people feel safer and reassured.”

He continued: “It involves improving our detection rates and locking up more criminals. It means delivering a consistent, high-quality service to victims of burglary and providing crime prevention advice to people living in areas which are more at risk.”

The campaign, which began in July, runs for six months. As of mid-October, the number of burglaries had fallen by 15 per cent across the Thames Valley, compared to the same period last year.

Among the activities already undertaken are ‘crime casinos’ at freshers’ fairs across the region, as a way of engaging with students and spreading memorable messages about how to secure their home and personal property. Throughout October, more than 18,000 students were targeted with advice about how they can keep themselves and their belongings safe.

Belinda Hopkins, crime prevention and reduction adviser for Oxford, said: “Students who are away from home for the first time are not necessarily aware of the steps they can take to secure their new student home and protect their belongings. These events are really crucial in our bid to reduce the numbers of students who become victims.”

As the darker nights draw in, Thames Valley Police is gearing up to run a distraction burglary initiative to remind elderly and vulnerable people to be vigilant and check the identity of callers before they let them in and, if they are in doubt, to keep them out.

A new scheme called Nominate a Neighbour is currently being run in two district council areas in Oxfordshire, and plans are in place to roll the scheme out to four additional areas in South Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire. More information will be released shortly.