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Burglaries rise by up to 70% as crooks look for car keys
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent10.07.09
Crime gangs who break into people's homes to steal car keys are behind a huge surge in burglaries in London.
The number of residential break-ins increased by 10 per cent in recent months - but in some London boroughs the number soared by more than 70 per cent.
Police say organised crime gangs see breaking into homes to steal cars as a less risky way of making money.
Thieves find that stealing car keys from people's homes is also much easier than breaking into vehicles and bypassing security systems. It is also less confrontational than carjacking.
The gangs are mainly targeting cars such as BMWs and Mercedes but detectives say some groups are also stealing lower-value cars for a lucrative trade in parts. Senior officers believe the trend may be linked to the recession.
Figures show a 10 per cent rise in burglary in London in April and May. But the number of break-ins which are linked to car thefts has rocketed by nearly 60 per cent.
There were 751 so-called car key burglaries in the three months from 1April compared with 481 in the same period last year. Scotland Yard has launched a major initiative to tackle the rise in burglaries under the codename Operation Bumblebee.
A report to the Metropolitan Police Authority states that the Met is mounting seven operations to target organised car theft gangs.
The initiative is being led by specialist officers from the Yard's Stolen Vehicle Unit. Operations include gangs operating between London and Essex.
The report adds that the cost of tackling burglaries is expected to rise to £1million by the end of the year.
One detective said: "A lot of groups are changing over to car crime because there is less risk. One of the main methods is through burglaries."
Thieves push fishing rods or long poles through letterboxes to hook car keys left on hall tables. They are also becoming more determined in breaking through front doors or windows if they spot an expensive car outside.
There are also cases of people being forced to hand over keys after being confronted on their doorsteps.
In Barking and Dagenham the number of break-ins in the past 12 months has climbed from 884 to 1,516, up 71 per cent. There were rises of 34 per cent in Merton, 37 per cent in Havering and 26 per cent in Croydon. However, figures also showed falls in burglaries in some inner-city boroughs such as Camden, Tower Hamlets and Southwark.
Reader views (3)
And we all know what this is tied to...Uncontrolled immigration from poor / third world nations. Like we dont have enough crime here in the UK without our ultra left regime importing more in.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
The figures just won't come down until instant deportation is a weapon that magistrates can deploy.
- Fred, Horsham
Knife crime UP 60%.
Burglaries UP 70%.
TELL JOE PUBLIC SOMETHING THEY DID NOT KNOW.
Jackboot Straw needs relegating to the nearest dustbin.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
