Burglary reduced by 40% in Hinckley and Blaby as police move ‘back to basics’

In 2022, Leicestershire Police has been analysing how they can put the right resources in the right place at the right time to prevent and detect burglary.

Operation Fortune, running in the Hinckley and Blaby area since September, has seen increased proactive police patrols, leading to 32 arrests and 19 properties searched for stolen material. Stolen property has been recovered including vehicles, drugs and cash. Burglary has reduced in the area by 40%.

In West Leicester, victims of burglary are receiving follow up visits from neighbourhood officers who provide crime prevention advice to help victims protect their property in the future.

In Melton and Rutland, four additional officers have patrolled across rural areas of the counties during the evening, with good results thanks to our engagement with local communities who have taken advice to fit low-cost tracking devices to expensive farm machinery and vehicles.

Force lead for burglary, Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, said: “We know how upsetting the act of burglary can be for people. We’re committed to ensuring everyone feels safe in their own homes and that property is protected.

“That’s why I’m really proud of our response to burglary in the past few months. We’ve laid on extra patrols in response to specific threats, to quickly and effectively tackle those causing issues, and seen great outcomes as a result.

“We’ve also deployed a dedicated crime prevention campaign, including use of digital media platforms to target prevention messaging to people in those areas seeing particular issues, with essential advice such as locking windows and doors to deter opportunistic thieves. Our campaign will continue into the Christmas period.”

While our activities and campaign continue into the new year, we’re urging people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to help us to help you by following our simple prevention advice to secure your property this Christmas.