The taskforce brings together the police, industry
leads, charities such as Crimestoppers and Victim
Support and the government to look at what more can be
done to combat these crimes and to agree actions.
Themes include making homes more secure, preventing
criminals from selling on stolen goods, and improving
the wider police and criminal justice system response.
Minister for Policing and the Fire Service said:
Being burgled doesn’t just mean the loss of valuable
and sentimental items – it also makes us feel less
safe in our homes and has a damaging effect on
communities.
I’m pleased that burglary levels have fallen
significantly in recent years, but with hundreds of
thousands of people suffering this intrusive crime
every year, more needs to be done to combat it.
It’s vital that we work with partners, policy and
industry on this.
Police recorded crime statistics for England and Wales
published by the Home Office last week showed that
burglary dropped by 3% compared with the previous year,
and by 20% compared with the year to June 2010.
Earlier this month, the Home Secretary, , called for
government and industry to work together to design
products and buildings so that such crimes are more
difficult to commit.
In January, the Policing Minister chaired the first
meeting of the vehicle theft taskforce, bringing
together industry and police to strengthen the response
to this type of crime. Moped crime has already been cut
dramatically thanks to the introduction of new
anti-theft devices, along with tough law enforcement.
Deputy Chief Constable Chris Rowley, the National
Police Chiefs’ Council lead for burglary, said:
Police officers know how distressing a burglary is
for victims and are totally committed to tackling
these crimes.
The burglary taskforce will help us bring everyone
involved to the table so we can continue to work
together to prevent burglary - and when it does take
place, to bring offenders to justice.
At the first meeting, the taskforce discussed the scale
of the threat and methods that can help reduce
burglary. It will meet every 6 months.
