Today marks the third European-wide focus day on the prevention of domestic burglary.

A joint initiative of the European Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN), EUROPOL, and 16 countries, including Ireland, it aims to inform citizens on how best to protect their homes.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Covid-19 lockdown contributed to “sharp falls in recorded crime levels” across Ireland in 2020 – rural crime included.

As our movements were restricted, so too were those of opportunistic thieves, but as lockdown eases, it is anticipated that crime levels will grow.

According to Laois-Offaly crime-prevention officer, Sergeant (Sgt) Graham Kavanagh, burglaries decreased by 44% in the last 12 months (up to May 1). Every Garda region recorded fewer domestic burglaries.

A reduction in burglary (not aggravated) was observed across all regions: Dublin (-50%); east (-27%), northwest (-42%) and south (-52%).

Almost one in four residential burglaries in the summer involved entry through an unsecured door or window compared to one in five in winter.

Around one third of residential burglaries involve entry through a front door.

With all this in mind, there are some practical measures we can all take to beat the burglars, according to Sgt Kavanagh:

As normality resumes and staycations become possible, there are a number of things to remember if your home is going to be vacant:

If you are going on holiday and your home is going to be vacant, be mindful of what you post on social media:

“An Garda Síochána is committed in the fight against domestic burglaries. This European focus day on burglary prevention is an opportunity for us to remember the simple steps to secure our homes," said Sgt Kavanagh.

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