Hampshire Constabulary make commitment to attend every report of residential burglary

Police in Hampshire will now attend every report of a residential burglary.

Hampshire Constabulary made the decision while conducting an ongoing review of its burglary deployment across the county.

The force also made the promise to align with Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones’s commitment to ensuring community crimes are given the priority they need.

Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: “We know that residential burglary has a huge impact on those affected. That is why we are making a commitment to our communities that we will attend every report of a residential dwelling burglary that we receive.

The Acting Chief Constable stated there had been a “significant decrease” in the number of burglary offences in the past few years, but also admitted that there had been a reduction in the number of offences which had resulted in charges being brought.

He said: “This is a priority area for the force to address.

“Over the course of this year we have delivered a range of initiatives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to increase the number of offenders who are identified and brought to justice.

“This is being coordinated by a central burglary improvement group – ensuring all the right specialists are involved to turn things around.

“We are determined that every residential burglary should be responded to effectively and every opportunity used to identify who is responsible.

Acting Chief Constable Snuggs also said that attending every report would help officers “identify early forensic and investigative lines of enquiry which members of the public may not have previously noticed” and also “help to improve public confidence and help victims to feel safer in their homes”.

He said: “It’s important to remember that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are safe places to live and work in, with an average of only eight burglaries reported to us a day.

“By attending all residential dwelling burglary reports, I want to send a very clear message that we will not tolerate these crimes.

“We want to give ourselves the very best opportunity to disrupt and deter crime, and catch those criminals who are responsible.

Ms Jones said: “I’m pleased that the Chief agrees with me that every domestic burglary must be responded to and investigated, this is what the public rightly expect and deserve.

“Domestic burglaries are an abhorrent crime and victims deserve an initial response and thorough follow up.”