More than 3,500 burglaries were reported across Nottinghamshire last year, police figures show. The total, a slight increase on the previous year, includes house burglaries as well as the likes of shed and caravan burglaries.
Nottinghamshire Police said they have attended every one of the house burglaries reported since 2019. In total, 3,576 burglaries were reported in 2022, compared to 3,282 in 2021.
The number was steadily declining before last year, with the number of reports totalling 5,359 in 2019 and dropping to 4,222 in 2020. Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, who leads the burglary and robbery teams, said: “Nottinghamshire Police were one of the first Forces in the country to introduce a dedicated burglary team for the city and county in 2019.
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“Since then, we have attended every house burglary and investigated thoroughly every incident reported to us. We know the impact that burglary has on its victims and that is why we have a dedicated team of detectives who have managed to put some of Nottingham’s most prolific offenders behind bars.
According to crime maps, West Bridgford is one of the areas with the highest amount of burglaries in Nottinghamshire.
Debbie Jelpke, 55, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said: "We were burgled about 15 years ago, other than that we've heard of people's bikes being nicked. It helps having the dog now. I know some people are weary about it but we are quite relaxed about it, we feel quite safe.
"I think it's really good for police to attend every house, in an ideal world. The other thing that would be good for us is to set up a community look-out."
Val Calvert, 70, added: "Our house was burgled about 20 years ago, someone cut through the door, and we've had bikes taken from the shed as recently as five years ago. I haven't heard of any from my neighbours recently."
DI Berryman continued: “We are also working with partners such as the universities to come up with initiatives to ensure it is much harder for criminals to target areas prone to burglary. The figures you are referring to will be shed or outbuilding burglaries, which is not investigated by the burglary team but by the Force’s neighbourhood policing teams or response officers.
“Officers will not always attend every shed or outbuilding burglary. It depends on a number of factors including forensic opportunities. However, that does not mean the crime is not investigated. We have one of the best detection rates in the country for house burglary and other forces are now contacting us to implement the same model we are using in Nottinghamshire."
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