Good Safe Summer: How Dorset Police is tackling Burglary

Since coming into office, I have heard time and time again the impact burglary has on individuals, families and communities. Burglary is far more than a property crime. For many victims, it is a deeply personal violation that can leave people feeling unsafe in the very place where they should feel most secure – their home. Whether it is the loss of treasured possessions, the emotional distress that follows, or the fear that can linger long afterwards, the effects can be significant and long-lasting.

That is why tackling burglary and bringing offenders to justice remains a priority for both myself and Dorset Police. While Dorset remains one of the safest counties in the country, we are not complacent. Residents rightly expect swift action against those who target homes and communities, and they want to know that every effort is being made to prevent offences from happening in the first place. Through continued investment in neighbourhood policing, partnership working and dedicated investigative teams, we are strengthening our response to burglary and supporting victims throughout the process.

A key part of that work is the expertise and determination of Dorset Police’s Burglary Investigation Teams, whose officers work tirelessly to identify offenders, secure evidence and protect the public. Below, Detective Inspector Erin Kinghorn, who leads the Burglary Investigation Team on the county side, provides an insight into the challenges the team faces, the successes it is achieving, and the proactive work taking place across the county to reduce burglary and keep Dorset safe.

Detective Inspector Kinghorn’s update highlights not only the importance of robust investigation, but also the value of prevention, intelligence sharing and community vigilance in helping to tackle these offences together.

In Dorset, we now have two Burglary Investigation Teams - one covering Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), and one covering the county. I lead the county team.

The Burglary Investigation Team is a dedicated unit which includes two Detective Constables. We deal with the more serious and complex burglaries and also assist Neighbourhood Policing Teams and patrol officers where we can. This can include making applications for various types of data that may assist investigations. The introduction of these teams has transformed the way burglary investigations are handled by providing focused, dedicated time and resources.

Both teams have a clear objective: to deliver a focused and consistent investigative response to dwelling burglary series. We are also working to improve early evidence capture and suspect identification, while developing local and regional intelligence to tackle prolific offenders.

Intelligence sharing is pivotal in tackling both residential and commercial burglars, as we often see cross-border offending. Dorset’s rural geography also presents challenges, with fewer evidential opportunities such as CCTV or direct witnesses. We find that prolific offenders often establish a routine, known as their modus operandi (MO). To avoid detection, they may offend in different areas, so sharing information about specific offenders, their appearance, methods and vehicle access can help identify them across county borders.

Advances in technology have had a significant impact on how burglaries are investigated. CCTV is an obvious example, but sometimes other forms of technology prove even more valuable. For example, one property was targeted while the occupants were away on holiday. They only discovered the burglary upon returning home and were unable to say exactly when it had happened. This limited the scope of enquiries because reviewing several days of CCTV footage would not necessarily be proportionate.

However, the occupants had remote heating controls and were able to check usage through their mobile phones. They noticed that the heating had unexpectedly switched on one day, despite not being scheduled to do so. We suspect this happened because a window had been broken, causing the temperature inside the property to drop. This information enabled us to narrow down the timeframe of the burglary and focus our enquiries.

One thing I think people often misunderstand about burglary is timing. Many assume burglaries only happen at night, but that is not the case. I have seen offences committed at 2pm in the afternoon.

It is also important to recognise that many burglaries are opportunistic rather than carefully planned. If we want to reduce burglaries, we need to reduce opportunities.

Don't leave car keys by the front door if the door is unlocked. Don't leave your back door open because you live in a safe neighbourhood. Don't leave ladders visible in the garden and don't leave sheds unsecured. These small steps can make a huge difference. If the opportunity is not there, many burglars will simply move on until they find a property that is easier to enter.

I would like to thank Detective Inspector Kinghorn for sharing more about the Burglary Investigation Teams and providing practical advice on how we can all help keep our homes safer. If you would like to know more about the teams, you can also read a guest blog from Detective Inspector Want, who leads the BCP team.

I hope this newsletter demonstrates that both I and Dorset Police are listening to residents’ concerns and that more is being done to tackle burglary across Dorset. We all have a role to play in keeping our homes secure and reducing opportunities for criminals to strike. You can also find further advice on protecting your home in the Home Safety leaflet.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner