SWORDS Community Policing Forum, in partnership with An Garda Siochana Swords, is running a burglary awareness campaign over the festive period.
The campaign, which began before Christmas, includes large posters being put on lampposts from Rivervalley down through the main street in Swords and the main street in Donabate.
Community Sergeant Kevin Toner is fully behind the campaign and said:
“This is an excellent campaign to target the public for burglaries happening in the area.
“As the posters state, we are asking neighbours to be nosey and keep an eye on their fellow neighbours’ property as well as their own and report any suspicious activity to the gardaÃ.
“The posters are a great way to catch the public’s attention when people are out walking and driving.
“We will be distributing leaflets with the same messages at checkpoints over the next couple of weeks to create more awareness of ownership when it comes to people’s properties.
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Sergeant Toner pointed out that opportunistic burglaries increase particularly at this time of year when property owners are away from their homes visiting family and friends.
Sergeant Toner also advised members of the public to:
?¢ Have a proper alarm installed. Make sure your alarm is ALWAYS turned on day and night. Turn it on when you go to bed. If you are going away on holidays make sure you let your neighbours know so they can check that there is not a build up of post.
?¢ Don’t put messages up on Facebook telling people you are going away and how long you are away for.
?¢ Try to create a visible presence in the house, lights on or a radio on especially around the festive period with valuable gifts left in the house or under the tree.
?¢ LOCK BURGLARS OUT. Lock doors, windows, side gates and put on the alarm every time you leave the house even if it’s only for a short period.