Convicted burglars warned by Christmas cards pic: Kami Jo
Convicted burglars are set to get a surprise in the post this Christmas as the police and Lewisham Council send festive cards to past offenders.
In total, 17 previously convicted burglars have been sent Christmas cards, informing them that the police and its partners will be in hot pursuit should they decide to steal over the next few weeks.
Detective Superintendent Si Cunneen, Crime Command Lewisham, said: “The cards act as a timely reminder that we will not be complacent. We along with our partners are even more determined during this time of year to deter individuals from committing burglary.
“This type of offence has a huge and detrimental effect on victims and together with our partners and the community we will continue to drive down the number of offences that occur daily.”
Councillor Crada Onuegbu, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Christmas is a time when burglars must think it’s easy pickings, with so many gifts straight from the shops sitting under Christmas trees. This year known burglars will be getting a stark reminder that the police know who they are and where to find them if burglaries occur.”
Convicted burglar Leon Reid, 33, from New Cross, recently offered local residents an insight on what thieves look for when targeting homes.
Before his sentence in Woolwich Crown Court in November, Reid wrote a letter to officers in Lewisham saying he would avoid a well-lit property and ones with pebbles by rear patio doors.
He also noted that he would be put off by a dog, anti-climbing paint, motion senor lighting and a host of other preventative measures that people can put in place.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Astbury, in charge of Serious Acquisitive Crime in Lewisham, said: “What is compelling about Reid’s offending is that he has never forced entry. He entered through open windows and doors of premises that did not have one of the aforementioned deterrents. It speaks volumes really and should make us all ask ourselves how secure our homes are.”
