Break-ins soar in summer

HOMEOWNERS are being advised to lock up over the summer months as new figures from An Garda Síochána show that almost one in every four break-ins from June to August results from an unsecured door or window.

There have been a number of reports of break-ins or suspicious activity at various locations in Mayo.

Aughagower Community Council, on their Facebook page, issued an appeal to the local community in recent days to keep an eye on elderly residents and those living alone due to a number of break-ins in Coguala.

Be wary of people asking questions about people living alone and report anything suspicious to Westport gardaí, was their advice.

There were reports also yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon of a suspicious pair in east Mayo who were found looking around outside a house and taken by surprise when the owner returned.

Burglars increasingly target open doors and windows during the summer months, new garda analysis shows, while theft of gardening equipment rises by 23% in the summer. Break-ins are mostly likely to occur between midnight and 4 a.m., and between noon and 3 p.m.

As well as securing doors and windows, at the Bloom festival, An Garda Síochána recommended householders plant prickly plants to help deter thieves. Known as 'defensive planting', a barrier of prickly hedge along the boundary of a home or underneath a window provides an extra layer of home security, according to gardaí.

Mahonia, Purple Berberis, Ulex Europeans, Golden Bamboo, Firethorn and Shrub Rose are among the 16 plants gardaí have listed as barriers that help put off thieves from entering properties.

The advice was given at Bloom in the Park for the launch of the latest Supporting Safer Communities Campaign, which focuses on reducing summertime home burglaries through awareness and promotion of good home security habits. It is part of Operation Thor, which has reduced home burglaries by 30% through preventative and enforcement measures since it began in 2015.

People who are away on holidays are also advised to refrain from posting on social media as it will alert potential burglars that their home is vacant.