Merseyside police officers were called to almost 4,000 burglaries last year, according to the latest figures.
Last year there were a total of 3,827 burglaries of residential properties in our area, plus 103 aggravated burglaries, which is a more serious crime because it means the offenders were armed with some kind of weapon. According to the latest available figures Merseyside Police had a total of 3,890 officers available for duty as of March. That means all officers would need to attend at least one burglary.
But that does not take into account the 1,140 attempted burglaries, or the 14 distraction burglaries and four attempted distraction burglaries that took place in Merseyside last year.
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If police attended all of those crimes as well, that would mean an officer visiting crime victims once every 103 minutes.
Merseyside Police told the ECHO it can refer victims to specialist support services to help them recover, and the force has launched a new submission portal that allows the public to upload video footage from their home security cameras that shows suspicious activity.
Detective Inspector Steven Byrom said: "Merseyside Police are committed to supporting victims; ensuring they know where they can obtain emotional and practical support, and where appropriate, referring victims to specialist support services to help them cope and recover.
"We already have a policy of attending all home burglaries and our crime scene investigations team often contact victims directly to ensure the preservation of forensic evidence so we can gather evidence, identify offenders quickly and put them before the courts.
"However, there are times when we can’t attend, for example when the victim has told police they don’t want any officers to attend, the scene has been cleaned up so there is no requirement for crime scene investigations or the victim has gone out and can’t be contacted.
"Our dedicated burglary team Operation Castle has been successful in reducing burglary by 55% and securing convictions for burglary offenders with sentences amounting to more than 600 years. This is achieved by visiting burglary victims and helping them through such an appalling crime.
"In July 2022, we also launched a new submission portal that allows the public to upload video footage from their home security cameras or smart doorbells that shows suspicious activity. By speaking with victims about this new portal new evidence can be reported to us that helps us with our enquiries and solving crimes."
It comes as police chiefs in England and Wales have committed to attend all home burglaries, following evidence from the College of Policing.
Police chiefs took the decision after considering public opinion, a report on acquisitive crime, and reviewing a new rapid evidence assessment produced by the College of Policing on effective measures for solving burglary crimes.
National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) chair Martin Hewitt, said: "The number of burglaries is at an all-time low, down 51% over the past decade due to increased investment by police and partners in preventing them happening in the first place.
"Wherever you live in England and Wales you can be confident the police will attend if you experience the invasion of a home burglary. This should see more burglaries solved and more offenders prosecuted."
Some forces already have a policy of attending all home burglaries. Others attend where it has been established that there are evidential lines of enquiry or where victims are vulnerable or elderly.
The NPCC said chief constables will prioritise attendance on home burglaries, not outbuildings and garden sheds.
It follows a recent letter sent out by the College of Policing, presenting evidence of how rapid police attendance can increase victim satisfaction and improve investigations, as well as potentially preventing future crimes.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: "Any intrusion into our home can be traumatic. It’s not just the loss of possessions but the way a burglary can steal a person’s sense of security from the place where they should feel safest.
"Officers across the country want to be locking up criminals and keeping communities safe. Our standards will help bring consistency to the police’s response, enable them to get the basics right and deliver what the public expect."
NPCC Lead for Burglary, Deputy Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, added: "Burglary has a significant and long-lasting effect on victims. Police officers up and down the country are committed to bringing more offenders to justice and this decision will bring greater consistency across England and Wales in the way we respond to, and investigate, offences of burglary.
"We will work closely with the College of Policing to improve investigative standards and we will continue to invest in the important preventative work with our many partners in an effort to keep offending levels at an all-time low."
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