Calls to ‘lock up, light up’ homes to deter burglars

Three out of 10 burglars gain access through the front door, and a quarter do through the back door.

In most cases, the criminals use “body pressure” to force their way in, though in 25% of cases the door is either not locked or is actually open.

Jewellery, cash, and electronic goods are the most common objects stolen, at a value of €5.7m, €3.4m, and €1.1m, respectively, last year. There were 163 cases of “fishing”, involving theft of car keys through letter-boxes, in a 12-month period.