Police take anti-burglary message on the buses

Officers are trying to spread the word about preventing burglaries by discussing it with residents as they travel out to their beat in Whitnash on the G1 bus.

After a rise in break-ins during the winter, Whitnash Community Forum made tackling the crime a priority for its Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Beat manager Pc Manjit Sidhu said the suggestion had come from district and county councillor Bernard Kirton, who often speaks to residents on buses.

Pc Sidhu said officers had been able to give out 35 leaflets on each journey, and that speaking to people had been well received, with people happy to chat to officers.

She added: “We don’t want to frighten people but we want them to be mindful, look out for their neighbours and report anything suspicious.”

As well as obvious precautions such as not leaving doors and windows open and keys within sight of potential thieves, Pc Sidhu said it was important for householders to use modern deterrents such as Smartwater, a property marking system.

She added: “We want them to really look at their home security, update it and be vigilant.”

n Whitnash residents can receive a free community safety pack and window alarm at a crime prevention event at Warwick Gates Community Hall on Thursday June 7 from 12noon to 2pm.

Whitnash Safer Neighbourhoods Team are also holding street surgeries on Wednesday at Home Farm Crescent shops from 12noon to 1.30pm and at Acre Close shops from 6pm to 7.30pm, and at the Hod Carrier pub in Coppice Road on Wednesday June 6 from 6.30pm to 8pm.