Credit Crunch

Credit crunch pushes crime figures up

The credit crunch has not only caused more burglaries to be committed but also has made some criminals so desperate for money that they are taking risks that put the victims of this type of crime at more risk than ever.

Sir Hugh Orde, who is the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland, claims that burglars who target people’s homes for jewellery, cash and expensive technological items are now more daring than they were previously.

He has told the media that in Northern Ireland, incidents of burglary while the homeowners are in the property has seen a significant increase in the past few months. He added that 45% of burglaries from homes occur because the householder has left a window or a door unlocked. He warned that even during daylight hours, it is unsafe to leave access points to your home unlocked as opportunist theives may target vulnerable properties at any time.

Sir Orde blamed the economic difficulties for this trend and stated that whenever there is a downward spiral of the economy, crime increases. This was backed up by recent reviews of rural crime also. The number of thefts of livestock is high as is theft of agricultural equipment.

In Gloucestershire recently, the Berkeley Castle Game & Country fair experienced record thefts of jewellery, electrical equipment and craft items valued at thousands of pounds.

In Powys in Wales, three men were recently apprehended in the act of killing sheep in order to sell the carcasses to butchers.

Thefts of copper and lead have soared also because the value of these commodities is rising sharply. This is due to high demand for lead and copper in China and other Eastern countries. Thieves are targeting railway lines, thefts from which are endangering public safety. Thefts of lead from roofs is causing damage to some of the country’s oldest buildings and even drain covers, iron gates and household pipes are being stolen.

Tanks containing oil used for domestic heating are at a record high due to the fact that the value of oil has risen sharply. These domestic tanks can hold around £1,000 worth of oil and in Wales, a 350% rise in these thefts has been reported in recent months.