Police warn burglars deceive to see if houses are empty during breaks. Watch for dirt and moved objects on your doorstep.
Recent burglaries occurred in Bickley and Sundridge, London. Police said burglars are using tricks. They leave dirt or items at your door to see if you are gone.
A spokesperson explained the method. Burglars may move items on doorsteps or put dirt there. They watch to see if residents clean it, indicating if anyone is home.
Earlier in the month, warnings were issued about a man allegedly breaking into homes during the day. The man was seen on CCTV exiting a bus and entering a property, breaking in through patio doors. He also tried to enter the neighbor’s house in Bromley Common and Sundridge Park.
Across England and Wales, police forces received many burglary reports, totaling 238,893 in 2024. Hackney, Middlesbrough, and Leeds are considered most dangerous due to high crime rates. The City of London is safest, with low crime rates in 2024.
A TV investigation found problems with police not finding suspects in many cases, including thefts and burglaries, across many London areas. The investigation also found unsolved crimes, highlighting difficulties in solving some offenses, leading criminals to state they did not fear police.
The investigation cited data covering 167 areas across England and Wales between 2021 and 2023, revealing police found no suspects for some crimes. A Home Office spokesperson stated they plan to add more local police, improve policing standards, solve more crimes, and rebuild trust in police.