Police inspector urges public to look out for elderly and vulnerable residents in bid to stop twilight burglaries

North Wales Police is urging people to ensure elderly residents are safe and secure in their homes in a bid to prevent twilight burglary offences.

It comes following an annual occurrence in offences targeting the elderly in eastern areas of North Wales and across the North West region, as the lighter nights draw to an end.

One such incident took place in Wrexham last week (Wednesday 15 September) when three individuals targeted the property of a 98-year-old woman, who was in the home at the time and confronted them after hearing the noise.

DCI Alun Oldfield is now asking people to ensure their elderly neighbours, friends and family members are secure in their homes and to report any suspicious activity in their area.

“What we tend to see is travelling criminality, travelling through North Wales and some of our surrounding forces, committing burglary dwelling offences,” he said.

“Traditionally, burglaries tend to increase from September time through to April, with elderly people in particularly targeted due to their vulnerability.

“Historically, we have had an increase in twilight burglary offences. However, at the moment, offences are still very low.

“What we are seeing is more people working from home and spending more time at home, which makes it a lot harder to break into people’s homes.

“It’s these people working from home that will see things happening in their area – if you think you have somebody hanging around in your area, please bring that to our attention.

“Family, friends and neighbours can also help play a key role in protecting elderly residents in their homes by ensuring their properties are safe and secure, and acting on the advice police provide to them.

“We are conscious of the impact a burglary has on any individual – but conscious of the impact it has on our communities.

“We have dedicated resources in place in relation to burglary investigations, in collaboration with other forces, with a view to bringing to justice those responsible at the earliest opportunity.

“I would ask that if anyone has any information that may assist us in the pursuit of those involved, to contact officers on 101 or via the live web chat.”

In a bid to tackle burglaries against elderly residents, Operation Blue Instinct has been launched in Wrexham town to protect vulnerable residents.

The multi-agency operation is all around education and aims to reduce victims and target those that cause communities most harm.

It will see officers patrolling residential areas during the hours of darkness and leaving leaflets at properties that appear unoccupied.

Engagement events will also be held across the town in the coming weeks and months to provide advice and support.

Wrexham Town Sergeant, David Smith said: “The aim of Operation Blue Instinct is to prevent burglary related offences and protect
vulnerable residents by reducing victims and targeting those that cause our community most harm.

“We ask residents to take simple, but effective steps to protect their property.

“Operation Blue Instinct is primarily about prevention – the more people that are aware and vigilant, the less opportunity there will be opportunist thieves.”

North Wales Police is now working towards Operation Blue Instinct being a force wide operation.

In Flintshire, officers will this week launch Operation Blue Lolite – an initiative designed to identify and protect vulnerable residents and homes in the North Flintshire area – with an emphasis on protecting older residents.

It will also launch alongside the ‘Think Jessica’ – a registered charity supported by countless agencies, organisations and police forces nationwide to highlight the danger and financial implications of scams which target people in their own homes.

For further crime prevention advice and information, visit the North Wales Police website. For up to date information about crime, engagement events, appeals, prevention advice and general policing activity in your local area, you can also join the new community alerts messaging service for free, here.

To look out for your neighbours and help make your street a safer place to live, you can also join a neighbourhood watch scheme, here.