Crimestoppers’ bid to cut crime in golden triangle

A CRIME-preventing campaign has been launched in a studentpopulated area of Loughborough which saw a 100 per cent increase in burglaries over two years.

Crimestoppers’ anti-burglary campaign is encouraging people to call-in with information about burglaries or anyone dealing in stolen property.

The charity says between 2014 and 2016 there was more than a 100 per cent increase in burglaries in the student ‘golden triangle’ in the last four months of the year.

The borough council told the Echo the figures refer to beat 62 (Loughborough Central) which includes the town centre, Ashby Road and Thorpe Acre.

Crimestoppers says the start of the new university year can provide a boon to burglars with many students not always taking proper safeguarding steps.

Funded by the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, the campaign will focus on hashtags #Dontletthemin and #Leaveyourlightson as the basis of a social media campaign, to be followed up with targeted mobile phone advertising.

Lydia Patsalides, East Midlands regional manager, said: “Losing personal items is bad enough, but the knowledge that a stranger has invaded your home can leave people feeling nervous and worried.

“This is why we are encouraging local people to ring Crimestoppers with information because it can be passed on anonymously, making it a very safe way of providing information without any reprisals. We would ask people to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour quickly.”

A Charnwood Borough Council spokesman said: “We would encourage people to take sensible steps to look after items and secure their properties which will help deter burglars. ”

• Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org/give-info. If you spot a burglary in progress always call 999.