Gardaí have issued advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of home invasion saying that burglaries increase during winter months as part of their Light Up Lock Up Campaign.
Most burglaries take place during 5pm and 10pm on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Gardaí say simple steps to protect your home include leaving some lights on, storing keys away from windows/letterboxes, investing in an alarm, and avoiding keeping large sums of cash at home.
Operation Thor
As part of Operation Thor, Gardaí observed an over 25% decrease in the number of burglaries during the summer phase of the operation compared to that of 2022.
An Garda Síochána say they commenced the winter phase of its “targeted operational activity”, ‘Operation Thor’ in October 2023 and that the “ongoing enforcement operation is aimed at preventing burglars from exploiting the reduced hours of daylight.”
The operation which was established in 2015, targets organised criminal gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and intelligence-led enforcement activity.
Gardaí say that In the eight years since Operation Thor was introduced, burglary and related offences have declined overall with a total of 4,595 burglaries recorded during the last winter phase of the operation which they say represents a reduction of 4,118 from the same period in 2019.
“Between April and August of this year (2023) there were 2,230 reported residential burglaries nationwide. This is a marked reduction on the number which occurred during the 2022 summer phase of Operation Thor (3,067 residential burglaries).”
“In recent years the level of residential burglary during the winter (October – March) has fallen by 75% since commencement of Operation Thor in 2015, Operation Thor Winter Phase 2022/2023 (2,988 Residential Burglaries) compared to winter 2014/2015 (12,057) recorded residential burglaries.”
Gardaí said these numbers run “contrary to international research which would suggest that there can be as much as a 20% increase in burglary during the winter months, when daylight hours are at the lowest level.” During the winter period, burglary on a premises or property is still most likely to occur between 5pm to 9pm on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
This is the case as the shorter days and longer, darker nights provide more cover and therefore make it easier to break-in unnoticed, and can also make it easier to see if a property is vacant. The winter phase of Operation Thor commenced on the 1st October 2023 and will run until the end of March 2024.
Last month Detective Chief Superintendent Boland, Garda National Drugs Unit and the Organised Crime Unit GNDOCB said, “It is deeply traumatic for any person when their home or business premises is burgled. It’s an invasion of privacy and oftentimes, even if nothing of sentimental or monetary value is taken, the place never feels comfortable to a victim again.”
“There are vulnerable people and people who are elderly that live in more rural parts of the country and can be fearful of being burgled. Gardaí are very conscious to protect these people and reassure them of their presence in the community.”
“This winter we will be out on patrol across the country to help protect communities and deter criminals from burglary.” he said.
Phone Watch
In October Phone Watch noted that In the past 12 months over 9,000 Irish homeowners had experienced a burglary saying that while burglaries decreased nationally by 8%, some regions have experienced a 25% increase.
“Whilst this represents a decrease of 8% based on the previous year, this number is still much too high. Over the years research has always shown that this is the time of year for increased burglaries, so the message is very clear, now is the time to get winter ready and get your home protected.” it said
Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch said, ‘It’s important to remain vigilant at this time’,
‘The past 12 months have shown a welcome decrease in our burglary levels, however, we should bear in mind that we are coming into the period when typically, burglaries are at their highest, and our homes are most vulnerable. We know that 58% of Irish homeowners fear burglary most in the winter months. At PhoneWatch we are all about peace of mind and ensuring this concern is reduced as much as possible,” he said.
Increase in burglaries in some counties
Phone Watch said, “According to the recent CSO recorded crime figures, although the national burglary rate for the last 12 months has decreased by 8%, some counties have experienced significant increases in the number of reported break-ins, especially in the north and west regions. The Sligo and Leitrim region has had the highest increase over the last 12 months* compared to the previous 12 months**, with a 25% increase (162 burglaries) in that region. Mayo had the second highest rate of increase at 17% (153 burglaries), followed by Louth with an 11% increase (347 burglaries). Donegal’s burglary rate also increased with a 9% increase (146 burglaries).”