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Burglars strike Inishowen holiday
homes 23.04.08
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VACANT holiday homes in
Inishowen are being targeted regularly by thieves as
new figures show a significant rise in burglaries
around the peninsula.
And Garda chiefs warned that if the trend continues
it could damage the tourism profile of the area.
Crime statistics show there were 34 burglaries in
the Inishowen area in the first three months of this
year.
Garda Supt. Jimmy Coen said this represented "a
significant increase" on the same period last year.
"An analysis of those incidents show a large
proportion of the burglaries have occurred at vacant
houses and predominately holiday homes that people
may not have checked since Christmas," said Supt.
Coen. |
"What we have found is
that the injured parties don't reside locally and
often the crime isn't discovered until after a long
period of time." While the time lapse makes it more
difficult for the culprits to be caught, some
arrests have been made.
"A number of suspects have been arrested,
interviewed and charged in respect of these crimes."
The Garda chief said thieves were targeting towns
and villages with a proliferation of holiday homes.
Supt. Coen released the figures as part of a
nationwide Garda awareness campaign to help people
avoid becoming victims |
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of crime.
Garda figures show that common everyday crimes of
burglary and theft accounted for around 80% of all
crimes reported in Ireland last year.
The incidents were "largely opportunistic" and many
could have been prevented with a little thought and
effort, say Gardai.
Supt. Coen appealed to everyone to make sure their
premises are secure. He encouraged holiday home
owners to consider installing security alarms.
Another feature of the Inishowen crime profile was
ongoing thefts from parked vehicles particularly
those belonging to people attending churches or
graveyards.
The local Garda chief also added that there had been
a spate of trailer thefts in the Inishowen area in
recent times as well as thefts from containers on
building sites. He said often the trailers, worth
from €3,000 to €10,000 and the construction site
containers, have been left unsecured. Their theft is
relatively swift and often the stolen goods are then
taken across the border. He urged the owners of such
property to keep them secured or out of sight when
not in use.
Meanwhile, Supt. Coen had a warning for the rest of
the general public.
"We can become victims of crime when we least expect
it , for example at the gym, in the pub, in a
restaurant or while out shopping.
"Take care of your personal property in particular
your handbag, wallet, cash, bank cards, mobile
phone, satellite navigation systems or MP3 players.
"If possible, use cash-machines during the day - put
away your card and cash away and be vigilant - never
write down your PIN number where it can be accessed
and that includes putting it into your mobile
phone." Are you locking your car?
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