Gardai have announced that Operation Thor - the force's special focus on preventing burglaries and protecting local communities - has entered the 'winter phase'.
Operation Thor actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.
The operation has been in place for years now, with dozens of arrests so far this year, including 14 people in Laois with undercover gardai.
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Checkpoints and raids are common, as armed gardai proved when preventing burglaries late last year.
Now, with the reduced hours of daylight that come with autumn and winter, gardai have moved the operation once more into it's 'winter phase'
A statement claims that five main areas will be focused on over the next few weeks to help homeowners.
Crime Prevention & Protecting Communities will see visible focused patrols at specific times of day, targeting burglary ‘hot-spots’.
Crime Investigation & Operational Activity will ensure every burglary is appropriately investigated to the highest possible standard.
Working in Partnership will see Gardai liaise with all partner agencies in local and national Government and in particular with communities.
Education & Awareness will aim to divert the younger generation away from crime or criminal activities.
Finally, Gardai say that Victim Support will focus on keeping the victim central to the overall operation and providing professional support, advice and regular case updates to victims.
Gardai also gave some useful advice to homeowners about how to protect themselves.
They include:
- Turn on some lights, LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs.
- Use timer switches/ motion detectors
- Lock all doors and windows
- Use an alarm
- Store keys away from windows
- Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house
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