Being burgled is an unpleasant experience. Most people would not consciously assist a burglar to help himself to their possessions. The surprising thing is that approximately 37% of burglaries are opportunistic, carried out on houses with unlocked or open doors or windows. I was amazed to learn recently from our local Community Police Inspector that, even in the extremely cold weather at the beginning of this year, about 17% of the burglaries at that time were on soft targets, where the windows and doors were open or not secured.

The police are doing their best to reduce crime in Stockport by working with local communities but a reduction in crime is not the responsibility of the police alone. We can all do our bit to help. The easiest and cheapest action we can take is to lock our doors and windows and not leave valuables lying about. Most burglars are opportunists who look for easy targets. We can make things more difficult for them by being security minded.

Along with all the other local councillors in my area, I recently attended the official launch of the Heatons Police Post which is situated on the Heatons Campus of Stockport College. A local Police presence is something which we, as councillors, have been requesting for a long time. Before this Post was set up, victims of crime in the Heatons had to wait for a response until a police officer or a police community support officer had travelled from Reddish. By the time they arrived, the offender had vanished. Now, with this new facility in our midst, responses will be quicker, with less time spent travelling and more time spent fighting crime. This will be to the benefit of all law-abiding citizens and will mean that more criminals will be caught. Residents should feel safer, both at home or on the streets. Every month at the eight Area Committee meetings throughout Stockport, local community police report to councillors on their activities in reducing crime. Councillors and any members of the public who care to attend have the opportunity to question senior police officers. If you have any concerns about crime in your area, why not go along to your local Area Committee meeting and raise the issue? In the meantime, reduce your chances of being a victim by locking your doors and windows. (Heatons Police are on 432 7352.)

Cllr Anthony O'Neill
Heatons North

This article, by Cllr Anthony O'Neill, was first published by the Stockport Express 18/03/2009.