Rising Burglary Is Not Inevitable – The Government Should Act.
As burglary increases Former Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, calls on the Coalition to get tough on crime.
14 Jul 2011, 17:00
Is rising burglary inevitable?
Today we learn that burglary did increase by 14% in 2010/11 compared to the previous year according to the British Crime Survey. So does this prove that the comment around my leaked memo to then PM, Gordon Brown was right in suggesting an inevitable link between recession and burglary levels. The answer is a categorical NO. There is only a link between burglary and the recession when government sits on its hands, refuses to take positive action to protect people’s homes and even worse, cuts the protection offered by front line police officers.
The proof of my case is in last year’s exactly equivalent crime statistics. Last year’s British Crime Survey figures for the year 2009/10 showed a ‘notable’ drop in the levels of burglary. Readers will remember that in 2009/10 the recession was at its height – people were out of work and family incomes were falling. These are the circumstances that historically would have seen burglary figures rise. So why did the police and the last government manage to prevent burglary from rising?
Firstly, because as I said in early 2009 ‘there is nothing inevitable about crime rising in a recession’ Or at least there isn’t if you are willing to take action to stop it happening. In February 2009, I brought together a Burglary Summit to work out what a whole range of partners could do to help keep burglary down. The police undertook to increase their focus on known burglars and to warn those in the areas where burglaries took place to be ‘on the watch’. Judges like Lord Chief Justice Judge sent out tougher messages about sentencing for burglars. DIY stores agreed to give discounts to older people and those who had already been burgled so that they could improve their home security measures. And this isn’t closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. If you have been burgled once, there is a higher chance that you’ll be burgled again. The NUS made sure that students (who face higher than average levels of burglary and theft) knew about the risks and how to keep their things safe. Insurance companies, Neighbourhood Watch and the Home Office website gave out information on basic security measures to avoid being a burglary victim. We found a relatively small budget from the Home Office to support improved security for people on very low incomes. But this initiative really wasn’t about spending money – it was about taking the threat seriously, getting on the front foot and refusing to accept that people have to be victims of crime.
The result? After a worrying rise in levels of burglary at the end of 2008, the figures started to fall again.
They were still falling when Labour left office. As we have seen today, that trend is being reversed. And burglary had started to rise again even before we feel the impact of 20% cuts on the numbers of police officers.
Current Home Office Ministers have made much of not having centralised targets. I don’t disagree with them on this. After all, when I was Home Secretary I removed all but one central target. But that shouldn’t stop them getting a grip when crime starts to rise. It takes a Home Secretary or Minister to get people around the table to work out how best to tackle something like increased burglary rates. That isn’t ‘big government’ it’s taking your responsibility seriously. There’s nothing inevitable about crime – unless you give up on tackling it.
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Jacqui Smith
Jacqui Smith was a Labour MP from 1997 to 2010 and served as Home Secretary in the Brown administration.
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Whilst the sentiment of trying to do something is evident, there isn't really anything of substance in this report, apart from a political motivation.
Burglary has increased on a huge scale over the last few years since the recession hit. When I read figures such as 14% rise or hear statements that say burglary has fallen, I laugh out loud. Each I visit people to sell them security systems for their home, office or shop. Probably 70% of these people have become a "victim of crime" in the past few days, invariably, having suffered a domestic burglary.
I have been in the electronic security industry for over 15 years and the last 24 months have shown an increase in burglary that I have not witnessed before. Admittingly, people need to be sensible, lock their windows and doors, don't leave laptops and iPods in clear sight, or they increase their risk, but the recession has had a huge impact on the rise and trying to say it hasn't, or that there is no reason for it to, are short sighted and blinkered.
Burglary is becoming more violent, it's happening early evening when people are at home and it doesn't really get the reporting it deserves.
People who have been burgled are usually devastated and it has a profound and harrowing effect on them, often changing their lifestyle.
How about increasing sentences and punishment on burglars? If a burglar was handed down a 15 year sentence with no early release, that would have a huge impact. A repeat offender? 25 years.
I heard ex Mayor, Ken Livingstone on LBC a few months ago on his Saturday morning show, discussing burglary. He said that as far as he was concerned, it wasn't a serious crime as no one really got hurt and people were insured. An incredible view, but I fear, he is not alone in this view.
A friend had his £2000 pushbike stolen yesterday from his office. Some walked in, climbed 3 flights of stairs, walked into a crowded office and walked out with his bike. To have the balls to do that means there is no chance of getting caught and no fear of repercussion if you are.
With the ever increasing levels if theft and burglary, sentencing is the only way to combat it.
A final thought. Ever wondered about train signal failures, late trains, delays? Recently, we have been hearing about theft of cables. This has been happening for years and NR and TOC's didn't ever report it as they didn't want an increase. Well, it increased and now something needs to be done.
14/07/2011 18:53Although crime rose a little in 2009, there was no rise of the 18% in Burglaries that matched the statistics of the 20% decrease in police resources, Margaret thatcher famoulsy said that crime doubling in the 80.s was nothing to do with child poverty quadrupling, at the same time the tories seem happy now tomesplain the huge increase in burglary now is nothing to do with their huge police cuts ,but due to the poverty of the recession,
15/07/2011 22:04How does a policeman in an office filling in a form stop or deter burglars.
If people have things worth stealing then people will try to steal them.
15/07/2011 23:34The security measures we take as homeowners will determine wether we become a victim of burglary! The harder we make it for criminals by the installation of alarms and locks the more chance they will move to an easier option!
Bearing in mind this national increase in residential burglary I would like to draw your attention to a new burglary prevention and home security device called CHAIN REACTION DNA®
It can best be described as a forensic burglary deterrent and has recently received Police approval as being an Official Police Security Initiative!
Chain Reaction DNA is professionally installed at entry points around your home.
When in use if an attempt to gain unlawful entry into your home is made Chain Reaction DNA will automatically sound an alarm and at the same time sprays perpetrators with a unique forensic marker that is registered to your address!
The liquid fingerprint is UV based and stains the would be intruder for up to three months!
This substance is easily identified by POLICE using UV lighting technology!
I believe the certainty of being sprayed with traceable DNA will be seen by today’s criminals as the ultimate deterrent because when they activate this unique door security device its embedded forensic trace technology links them to their crime scenes!
For further information see www.chainreactiondna.com
16/07/2011 16:33