Burbage

You Said – Residential Burglary
Residents continue to tell us that residential burglary remains one of the crimes that causes the greatest fear within the community. Concerns have been raised about the increase in offences traditionally seen during the darker autumn and winter months, particularly between Halloween and Christmas. Reports and intelligence show that high-value items such as jewellery continue to be targeted, along with sheds, garages and outbuildings containing valuable property and tools. Community feedback, previous crime trends and seasonal crime patterns have all highlighted the need for a continued focus on burglary prevention and offender disruption.

Residential Burglary - Over the coming months, your local policing team will continue to carry out targeted patrols in areas identified through crime data and intelligence. We will work alongside our neighbourhood watch networks and partner agencies to provide crime prevention advice, promote property marking and security measures, and identify vulnerable locations. Officers will conduct high-visibility patrols during peak offending times, pursue all available lines of enquiry to identify offenders and continue ongoing proactive work aimed at preventing burglary and reducing opportunities for criminals to operate within Burbage.

October - Ongoing work in the community to raise awareness as we approach the darker nights. Two reports of attempt residential burglary where it is suspected the vehicles at the property were the target of these offences. We have completed CCTV work and general crime reduction work such as patrols and community engagement, to raise awareness and prevent this type of activity going forward.

You Said – Road Safety. Residents have consistently raised concerns regarding road safety, particularly around schools, residential streets and areas affected by speeding vehicles. Concerns increase during the autumn and winter months when darker evenings, poor weather conditions and reduced visibility create additional risks for road users. Feedback has also highlighted worries about dangerous driving, driver behaviour and drink or drug driving during the festive season. Community engagement, local reports and road safety data have all identified this as a priority for Burbage.

Road Safety – Over the next three months, officers will carry out targeted road safety operations at locations highlighted by residents and local data. We will work with Community Speed Watch volunteers to tackle speeding and educate drivers, whilst delivering road safety engagement within schools through initiatives supported by funding secured from the Police and Crime Commissioner. High-visibility patrols and enforcement activity will focus on speeding, seatbelt use, mobile phone offences and drink or drug driving. Our aim is to improve safety for all road users and address the concerns raised by the local community.

October - Supported local school with their road safety month project. We are also continuing with work around abandoned vehicles, problems coming from garages and other concerns of speeding/dangerous driving as raised by residents. Concerns from Hastings High School regarding parents double parking and parking on double yellows/junctions. Patrols completed in area. Ongoing work regarding E-scooters, particularly around the Tilton Road park area.

You Said – Vehicle crime. Residents and local businesses have reported concerns about thefts involving vehicles, particularly tools being stolen from vans and the theft of motor vehicles. Previous years have seen an increase in tool thefts during October and November, followed by a rise in vehicle thefts during the festive period. These offences have a significant impact on victims, especially tradespeople who rely on their vehicles and equipment for their livelihood. Community concerns reported incidents and crime trend analysis have highlighted the need for proactive intervention before seasonal increases occur.

Vehicle Crime - We will continue targeted activity aimed at preventing theft from and of motor vehicles, including high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations. Officers will work with local businesses, tradespeople and residents to provide practical crime prevention advice and promote vehicle security measures. We will support ongoing crime prevention initiatives, including the use of forensic property-marking solutions such as SmartTrace, to make stolen tools easier to identify and recover. Intelligence-led operations will be conducted to deter offenders and identify those responsible for vehicle-related crime across the area.

October - Report of a theft of motorbike from Salem Road, bike recovered locally same day. With reports of suspicious activity and concerns around bike thefts, we are encouraging residents to be extra vigilant and call Police immediately if you see a crime in progress.