PROPERTY WORTH €35.1 million was stolen from households between July 2013 and July 2014.

Jewellery made up 40% of all stolen property with €14.2 millions worth stolen in that time while €7.8 million in cash was taken.

Research from the Garda’s National Crime Prevention Unit also found there were over 200 cases of ‘fishing’ – which sees burglars put fishing rods through letterboxes to ‘fish’ car and house keys from hall tables.

Gardaí say that burglaries typically rise by 25% in the winter and the majority take place between 5pm and 11pm.

Analysis from the gardaí shows the most common point of entry is the front door (29%), rear window (26%) and the rear door (22%).

So that’s nearly 50% of burglaries that take place through the rear of the home – and 20% of households are entered by burglars through an unsecured door or window.

Prevention

While the rate of burglaries has reduced over the last year, An Garda Síochána is advising people to remain vigilant and security conscious in order to thwart burglars.

Sergeant Kelvin Courtney of the National Crime Prevention Unit said the darker evenings and lax security can make it easier for burglars.

The longer evenings can help burglars spot if people are not home. For instrance, they can easily see if a house is empty if rooms are unlit, curtains are open, and there is no car in the driveway. It also makes it easier for them to enter a residence without being seen.

“Light up your house – use timers on lamps inside if you’re going to be out, and make sure you have an outside light that is tied to a motion sensor.”

Gardaí have these tips to prevent winter burglaries:

You can find out more about home safety at www.Garda.ie here.

Gardaí say that reducing burglaries and related thefts is a major priority for An Garda Síochána and a number of operations are in place nationally and locally to combat burglaries.

Operation Fiacala is a national operation targeting travelling burglary gangs – it has led to over 10,000 people being arrested and more than 5,000 being charged.