The recession is being blamed for a surge in the number of burglaries, as people struggle to deal with mounting debt problems.
Across the country the number of burglaries has risen, as they also did during previous recessions in the 1970s and early ’80s.
Earlier this year the British Crime Survey revealed that opportunist crime had risen, with the first rise in domestic burglary for six years, along with a 25 per cent rise in pick-pocketing and snatch thefts.
Worryingly though is that the national figure hides double-digit rises in burglaries amongst rural forces, such as a 16 per cent rise in Lincolnshire, 20 per cent in Cambridgeshire and 25 per cent in North Wales.
Some boroughs around the capital were also amongst the worst affected, with Croydon and Lambeth seeing burglary rates up 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively over the last six months.
In public, Police officials are reluctant to blame the recession for the surge in crime, however many senior officials are in little doubt that debt problems and the rise in thefts are inextricably linked.
Metropolitan Police Commander, Mark Simmons, said: “A relatively small number of (prolific) offenders can contribute to short term spikes in burglary.
“I am not sure we can be certain that the effects of the recession have driven people to commit more acquisitive crime in this period. Whatever the cause, it is our job to chase burglars down.”
Debt advice organisations have reported an increase in the number of enquiries they have received during the downturn, as people seek alternative ways to get out of debt.
Ivan Cooper, Chairman at debt management specialists Chiltern, said: “Rather than turning to crime, there are many options available to people struggling to make ends meet that can help them to get out of debt.
“Quite often any problems with loans and credit card debts can be avoided by seeking some impartial advice from a reputable organisation.”
