Spotlight on home security

THE TOPIC of house safety was brought to the attention of borough councillors after a student house was burgled three times in four months.

Coun Ted Parton asked the lead member to provide details of what Charnwood Borough Council is doing to promote security of the homes in town after news a student house in Leopold Street was burgled three times between October 2016-February 2017.

Coun Parton spoke at a Full Council meeting on Monday, February 27. He said: “On one occasion one young lady was at home when the thief struck again and she locked herself in the bathroom - can you imagine what she was thinking?”

Coun Parton suggested a number ideas including: that the council, as part of the its mandatory licensing of houses of multiple occupation, insisted that “five lever mortice deadlocks” were fitted to front, rear and bedroom doors.

In a document presented at the meeting a response was provided to Coun Parton. It read: “The Community Safety Partnership has a strategy aimed at reducing domestic burglary, particularly in respect of students.

“A range of initiatives to reduce burglaries in Loughborough has been run including social media campaigns at relevant times, student/landlord briefings, targeted multiagency patch walks in identified hot spot locations and the sharing of intelligence with all partners and community groups.

“The crime prevention initiatives are being heeded by student residences, making it harder for offenders.”

At the meeting, Coun Jonathan Morgan spoke of how windows are still left open and some residents prop open safety doors for ease of access.

He emphasised the importance of “memorable campaigns.”