BURGLARS in Wiltshire are less likely to be caught than anywhere else in the country, according to the latest figures.

Wiltshire Police solved just one in 12 burglaries in 2014, fewer than any other force in England and Wales.

The figures released by Churchill Home Insurance showed on average around one in eight burglaries was solved nationwide.

The study classes a solved burglary as one in which the culprit is caught and charged, cautioned or fined.

Sussex and Surrey police forces were also among the worst for solving burglaries, while Dyfed-Powys was the best, solving more than a quarter of its burglaries.

Wiltshire Police has the fourth lowest number of officers per person in the country, with just three per 1,000 people.

Supt Adrian Burt, Wiltshire Police’s head of crime standards and justice, said: “Wiltshire is one of the safest counties in the country and these figures show that Wiltshire had the ninth lowest rate of burglary in 2014-15, with just 5.2 incidents reported per 1,000 people.

“It is also worth remembering that these figures are for both dwelling and non-dwelling burglaries, which includes business premises and outbuildings.

"When we look at the statistics for dwelling burglaries (ie homes), Wiltshire’s detection rate rises to 14.57 per cent."

 

CHURCHILL’S tips to avoid being burgled:

  • Install security lights, anti-vandal/climb paint and a home alarm.
  • Avoid leaving packaging for expensive items on view outside.
  • Unmaintained properties are seen as more susceptible, so repair broken windows, keep lawns in check and don’t let rubbish build up.
  • When away close the garden gate and lock windows. Switch lights on and off with timers.
  • Maintaining a good relationship with neighbours can make communities a safer and more sociable place to live.