We know David Munro loves to set forth in front of his pop-up banner stand. So we thought we would help him out and design him a new one to highlight Surrey’s recent crime stats! These reveal that crime is Up Up Up! Overall recorded crime is up 14% and some categories a massive 78%!
We can all sleep comfortably in our beds safe in the knowledge that David Munro – Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has had his concerns satisfied about the staggering rise in burglaries
Surrey now holds the title for – the highest council tax rises, and now crime has risen by 78%* (*in Surrey Heath)
David Munro has pledged to continue supporting Surrey Police fight back against the rising tide in burglary as thousands of forensic marking kits are rolled out to Surrey residents. The recent spike in offences is due to organised criminal gangs, mostly from outside the county, crossing its borders to target properties.
Here at the Waverley Web thanks to information passed to us by one our followers we can reveal that crime is also rising in our borough.
Many residents over there in the East, are customers of the Egg shop in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh where the “Egg Lady’ as she is fondly known, has been supplying eggs from happy chickens for donkey’s years. This week she has become a victim of crime.
Thieves broke into the home of the elderly farmers, wrenched from a wall a safe containing money and valuables and a nearby gun cabinet! These thieves are now equipped with dangerous firearms!
A week earlier staff were shaken but unhurt when robbers stormed into the Bet Fred bookies in Cranleigh High Street. A skinny short male threatened staff who handed over an unspecified amount of cash. Staff are now recovering from the frightening ordeal
David Monro (PCC) said he had raised concerns with the Chief Constable at his regular performance meetings and is confident measures are in place to combat burglary although he admits there is no room for complacency.
So – no problem there then – it is all in former Tory Waverley Borough Councillor and SCC councillor David Monro’s capable hands!
It has been reported that Surrey has seen a 78% increase in residential burglary in the last year. However, according to the police, these figures don’t accurately reflect the true picture.
The Home Office says the quarterly crime statistics published in January, cannot be compared with last year’s figures as changes in the way some crimes are now classified have been made.
Previously, thefts from outbuildings, sheds and garages were not classified as dwelling or domestic burglaries. These thefts have been reclassified and are now included in the figures of recorded domestic burglary.
Whilst Surrey has seen a rise in total burglary offences – it is in fact around 27%.
The Force has taken proactive steps to prevent and detect burglary including dedicated burglary teams across each area.
They are specifically targeting offenders – recent examples in the last couple of weeks include four people arrested within 24 hours on suspicion of burglary offences in Waverley and two other men being charged in connection with 37 burglaries across 11 counties.
Officers will hand out more than 11,000 free SelectaDNA property marking kits to residents in burglary hot-spot areas.
David Munro (PCC) said: “Whilst this recent rise in burglary across Surrey is following the national trend, it remains a matter of real concern to both residents and myself. This is clearly a worrying statistic but I want to reassure our communities we are fighting back on a number of fronts.
Surrey’s Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “I want to reassure the public that burglary is very much a priority for the Force.
“It is for this reason that Operation Spearhead has run for several months with dedicated overt and covert officers aimed solely at preventing burglaries and catching offenders and putting them before the Courts. Please employ crime prevention measures wherever possible, sometimes just locking doors and windows can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to opportunist thieves.
“If you have information about suspected criminality in your area, please do get in touch. You can do this either via our website, by calling 101 or if you don’t want to talk to us then you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
Keep your belongings safe by following the below tips. You will find more burglary prevention advice on the Surrey Police website.
- Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house
- Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox
- Install dusk to dawn outside lighting
- Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immovable object
- Keep ladders and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside
- Mark your property with a forensic marking product, and register your belongings with Immobilise.com