How Essex Police are tackling burglary across the county

The officer leading Essex Police’s strategic response to burglary has this week warned those intent on committing the crime 'just don’t do it – you’ll be caught'.

Last month, February, saw a 26 per cent reduction in residential burglaries compared to the previous month and just under a 30 per cent reduction compared to this time last year.

Superintendent Tim Tubbs, our force strategic lead for burglary, said:

“We know the harm and distress burglary causes victims.
“This is why we are using a number of tactics and working closely with our communities across the county to drive down these incidents.
“The start of this year has seen a significant reduction in offences for residential burglary and we are committed to continuing this trend.
“Every home or business broken into is one too many and I want to send a very clear message to people who think they can break into people’s homes.
“Just don’t do it! We have eyes and ears everywhere and we will not stop until we arrest and charge those intent on committing this offence.”

The work this year follows on the good work of officers across the force last year, where there were more than 1000 arrests for burglary in 2023.

This year has seen burglars convicted, jailed for their crimes and taken off the streets including:

• A man was jailed for 16 months at the end of February after admitted to stealing from people while living in their Benfleet homes. Daniel Holloway, 37, of Goodwood Avenue, Hornchurch, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and two counts of fraud.
  
  
•  Following a burglary in Brentwood last year a man, who was identified after drinking a glass of brandy at the scene, was sentenced to four years in prison last month. Colin McIvor, 47, of Station Road, Upminster, was found guilty by a jury.

Alongside this work we are supporting communities with targeted patrols using crime data to prevent repeat offences.

Supt Tubbs added:

“Not only are officers responding to reports of burglaries and working swiftly to gather vital evidence and arrest those responsible. But we are also working to reduce the number of burglaries happening by ensuring people across Essex know how to protect their homes and businesses, including going door-to-door to share crime prevention tools and advice.
“There are some really simple steps people can take to reduce their risk: Always lock your doors and windows, keep items of value out of views, don’t make it easy to hide at the front of your property and keep sheds and garages locked too.
“This might seem like simple advice, but many burglaries are opportunist, so put these measures in place.”