Burnley named as burglary capital of England (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Burnley named as burglary capital of England
9:05am Friday 5th February 2010 in News
By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter
CRIME FEAR: A ‘Watch’ sticker in St Matthew Street, Burnley, aimed at warning off burglars
SHOCK new figures have revealed Burnley as the burglary capital of England and Wales.
The statistics from the Home Office’s new Crime Mapping system, show the borough had more burglaries per head of population than any other town or city.
The figures revealed there had been 2,154 break-ins between April 2008 and 2009, a rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people.
The next worst areas were Manchester, with 23.7 per 1,000 and Nottingham, 22.3, while Ribble Valley was the 10th safest area nationally with 3.9 per 1,000.
In Blackburn with Darwen the statistics were less than half of Burnley’s, with 10.2 burglaries per 1,000, while the figures for the rest of East Lancashire were Hyndburn 7.5, Pendle 11 and Rossendale 8.5.
Senior officers said that while the statistics could not be disputed, the situation had improved since April thanks to a number of hard hitting operations.
They blamed the burglary problem on high unemployment and drugs problems in the town.
Chief Inspector Jon Bullas said: “There is a fantastic amount of work going on with the Community Safety Partnership just around crime in general, and in particular burglaries.
“We recognise the impact they can have on people.”
From April last year to February 1, there had been 1,399 burglaries, which suggests the number of crimes are falling, an average of 139 a month compared to 179 the previous year.
Mr Bullas said: “These figures include non-domestic burglaries, such as sheds, garages and offices and the majority of burglaries are not committed at people’s houses.”
He said a number of initiatives and operations, including monitoring repeat offenders and making vulnerable homes safer by fitting crime prevention devices, were being carried out to tackle burglaries.
Mr Bullas said: “We are confident we are going the right way.”
Coun Charlie Briggs, chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “There will be links between burglaries and drug addicts.
“They have to get their fix somehow and where else are they going to get money from other than break ins.
“We are continually working to get drugs down, the police had quite a successful operation recently to get drug dealers off the street.”
Council leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle said: “Of course this worries me, it has to be a concern for everybody.
“The fact that a lot of people are being put out of work could be a reason, generally when unemployment goes up crime goes up.”
Glyn Morgan, Victim Support’s regional manager for the North West, said: “Being burgled is a horrible experience for most people, not only because of the theft involved, and the loss of personal items, but the sense of invasion of what should be a safe, private space.”
The figures also revealed the town ranked eighth in England and Wales for criminal damage, with 2,668 crimes, and 17th for all crime, with 11,653 offences committed.
>> YOUR VIEWS ON BREAK-IN FIGURES
PETE ROSE, 46, a care worker, of Burnley Wood, said: “We live in one of the roughest areas but, apart from having a motorbike nicked, we’ve never been burgled. A lot of people are unemployed and on benefits.”
KATIE DELANEY, 24, a sales assistant, of Ightenhill, said: “There are not enough jobs in town, which is why it is so bad. I think it is definitely worse in certain areas though.”
LUAN SCHOFIELD-COLE, 36, a housewife, of Harle Syke, said: “I’ve never been affected myself, but it is worrying. If burglars want to get into a house, then they almost certainly will.”
SONNY RUSHTON, 19, a British Heart Foundation volunteer, of Rossendale Road, said: “It’s mostly the unemployed. The other night we were being eyed up by a suspicious-looking group. It can be scary.”
GEMMA MASSON, 18, a postwoman, of Liverpool Road, said: “It doesn’t come as a surprise and it’s a very big problem. A lot of it is down to the drug addicts and homeless people.”
DAVE SCHOFIELD, 61, a travel agent, of Harle Syke, said: “We’ve not really suffered as we live in quite a decent area. It’s concentrated in certain areas. I think drug addicts are a big part of the problem.”
RENEE RUTH, 76, retired, of Coal Clough Lane, said: “I wouldn’t feel safe if I lived on my own now. It comes as no surprise the figures are so high. It is very concerning for people in Burnley.”
Comments(34)
Markr
says...
10:15am Fri 5 Feb 10
Then if the police do get off their fat lazy bums and arrest them the courts just give them a slap on the wrist, if some one steals or damages something they should have to pay the full amount back even if it takes them all their lives to do it, take thei goods and stop their benefits.
Terrible justice system in iwhat is rapidly becoming a lawless society.
puzzle bob
says...
10:45am Fri 5 Feb 10
Billypieman
says...
11:04am Fri 5 Feb 10
Latest news: Turf Moor trophy room burgled. Police looking for an empty glass cabinet and a roll of carpet.
Old Timer
says...
12:28pm Fri 5 Feb 10
in control. I wonder what pritty Kitty Kitty has to say about this? A **** shame I call it that a town is known now for such a disgraceful record and
like all other Lancashire towns were respected for their police forces befor e amalgamation.
MargretofBurnley
says...
12:43pm Fri 5 Feb 10
suttydog
says...
2:16pm Fri 5 Feb 10
rammyrover
says...
2:57pm Fri 5 Feb 10
I think you have just inherited a football chant!!
Sing when your stealing. You only sing when your stealing, sing when your stealing!! lmao
Stone Island
says...
4:26pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Inter-Rossiter
says...
4:27pm Fri 5 Feb 10
.
Repeated hand slaps like community service are no deterrent.
.
We've been burgled and it lives with you for ever. Three years hard labour, with no chance of parole, should be the absolute minimum for the first time offender. Make jail hard for burglars and they won't wants to go back in a hurry!
blackburn south
says...
4:34pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Stone Island wrote:Well, people will leave there knickers out on the washing line over night.
Didn't think there was anything worth burgling in Burnley.
RK
says...
5:03pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Stone Island
says...
5:05pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Inter-Rossiter wrote:A Country with no deterrents, is a Country going down the pan.
Maybe jailing the scumbags for lengthly period would make them think twice. . Repeated hand slaps like community service are no deterrent. . We've been burgled and it lives with you for ever. Three years hard labour, with no chance of parole, should be the absolute minimum for the first time offender. Make jail hard for burglars and they won't wants to go back in a hurry!
.
There's never been a better time to be a criminal......
DaveBurnley
says...
7:43pm Fri 5 Feb 10
MargretofBurnley wrote:Ah yes, I had forgotten that under the Labour council there were no burglaries. But then NuLab did promise to get tough on crime and the causes of crime.
All this under a Lib/Dem run council hope people remember this come election time.
RAyzer
says...
8:55pm Fri 5 Feb 10
!
RAyzer
says...
8:58pm Fri 5 Feb 10
dadada
says...
9:30pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Lamp it!
says...
10:35pm Fri 5 Feb 10
.
even if they were put in prison they would get better fed and some would have better facilities than kids at school! get them doing tough jobs for 10 hours a day and cut the perks - bloody stupid interfering brussels gits won't allow it, niether won't 'liberty' and the bloody do-gooders! sod them - do what the majority want! bloody PC brigade - i'd lock them up too!
disgusted tunbridge wells
says...
10:59pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Lamp it!
says...
11:02pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Norman the Wangler
says...
9:28am Sat 6 Feb 10
do you get a trophy?
dadada
says...
11:57am Sat 6 Feb 10
Mikeee47
says...
12:02pm Sat 6 Feb 10
Tell me why you removed my post?.
was it because I Yawned?
was it because I mentioned this news was 1st published 6 days ago in the "News of the world" & you latched on to 2nd hand news?
Your a set of controlled pillocks .
Free speech & comments on here it's a joke,
Keep deleting me I'll just keep posting my comments & points of view, do you raelly think you can break me into lying down like the rest of the sheep in this country?
jakey30
says...
3:42pm Sat 6 Feb 10
fatgit
says...
8:44pm Sat 6 Feb 10
To send criminals to jail, you need prisons - this needs funding from central government.
To catch criminals you need more police on the street, and better policing - this needs more funding and investment from central government.
Magistrates hands are often tied by sentencing rules and guidelines, issued by the government.
If you want to get tough on crime, then the machinery that deals with it needs funding properly, not strangling as is currently happening, and it needs the laws, infrastructure and guidelines in place to back it up.
Things like restorative justice can and do work, but not for everyone, and not for every crime, but the traditional alternatives have to be available too.
footy mad
says...
11:19pm Sat 6 Feb 10
And I hang my undies on the line too!
BRFCBrabant
says...
12:13am Sun 7 Feb 10
Nad
says...
10:56pm Sun 7 Feb 10
Good post though; other than that I agree with your comments.
bankhall
says...
12:20pm Mon 8 Feb 10
fullagrit
says...
9:42pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Nad wrote:If County Council are in charge of Police budgets I would be very worried if I was you.
You're wrong FATGIT...The Police aren't funded by Central Government they are funded by County Councils, and are controlled by police commitees made up of Councillors and lay members. It is they who decide the Budget and by inference the running of the force. They also select the Cheif Constable. Good post though; other than that I agree with your comments.
Go to their website and get to know their faces (based in Preston) Mr Driver and his colleagues are on a mission to save money in any way they can.
I don't get involved with these people normaly but after nearly crashing my car because of their gritting or lack of I went to a meeting they held at the old fire station Rawtenstall.
They are a hard lot who don't seem to care about anything but cutting costs, so all I can say is its gonna get worse.
And before anybody comes on rantting at me.
1 I don't have any faith in any political party
2 I don't vote
3 I don't tell lies
Hard times ahead sorry
fullagrit
says...
10:14pm Mon 8 Feb 10
fullagrit wrote:Also at the same meeting they said there would be no more meetings at the old firestation in the future and this would save them several grand.
Nad wrote: You're wrong FATGIT...The Police aren't funded by Central Government they are funded by County Councils, and are controlled by police commitees made up of Councillors and lay members. It is they who decide the Budget and by inference the running of the force. They also select the Cheif Constable. Good post though; other than that I agree with your comments.If County Council are in charge of Police budgets I would be very worried if I was you. Go to their website and get to know their faces (based in Preston) Mr Driver and his colleagues are on a mission to save money in any way they can. I don't get involved with these people normaly but after nearly crashing my car because of their gritting or lack of I went to a meeting they held at the old fire station Rawtenstall. They are a hard lot who don't seem to care about anything but cutting costs, so all I can say is its gonna get worse. And before anybody comes on rantting at me. 1 I don't have any faith in any political party 2 I don't vote 3 I don't tell lies Hard times ahead sorry
Just a thought but is it possible that now there is no money in expensives game why should the head of LCC drive all the way from PRESTON????
fullagrit
says...
10:22pm Mon 8 Feb 10
fullagrit wrote:I have just given myself one hundred lines EXPENSES.
fullagrit wrote:Also at the same meeting they said there would be no more meetings at the old firestation in the future and this would save them several grand. Just a thought but is it possible that now there is no money in expensives game why should the head of LCC drive all the way from PRESTON????Nad wrote: You're wrong FATGIT...The Police aren't funded by Central Government they are funded by County Councils, and are controlled by police commitees made up of Councillors and lay members. It is they who decide the Budget and by inference the running of the force. They also select the Cheif Constable. Good post though; other than that I agree with your comments.If County Council are in charge of Police budgets I would be very worried if I was you. Go to their website and get to know their faces (based in Preston) Mr Driver and his colleagues are on a mission to save money in any way they can. I don't get involved with these people normaly but after nearly crashing my car because of their gritting or lack of I went to a meeting they held at the old fire station Rawtenstall. They are a hard lot who don't seem to care about anything but cutting costs, so all I can say is its gonna get worse. And before anybody comes on rantting at me. 1 I don't have any faith in any political party 2 I don't vote 3 I don't tell lies Hard times ahead sorry
Sorry
working chap
says...
11:34pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Of course when we see thieves with a string of convictions given 'one more chance' or silly lenient sentences then it becomes clearer.
Crime needs to be punished, not 'understood'. persistent offenders should be locked away for years, and if we need more prison places then double them up in their cells. If they don't like it they shouldn't rob us honest, hard-working folk.
fullagrit
says...
12:11am Thu 11 Feb 10
working chap wrote:Working chap i would return to voting for people like you SPOT ON well put.
Being unemployed or on benefits is no excuse for burglary. Neither is being a drug addict. Of course when we see thieves with a string of convictions given 'one more chance' or silly lenient sentences then it becomes clearer. Crime needs to be punished, not 'understood'. persistent offenders should be locked away for years, and if we need more prison places then double them up in their cells. If they don't like it they shouldn't rob us honest, hard-working folk.
akon says...
10:12am Fri 5 Feb 10
Crime as dropped under this LIEBOUR government ?
How embarrassing for the secretary of state for justice ,on his own doorstep!!