Living in the Dyfed-Powys area you are less likely to be a victim of burglary than anywhere else in England and Wales. Figures released by the Home Office show that Dyfed-Powys had both the lowest burglary dwelling rate and distraction burglary rate. Levels of dwelling burglaries fell by 23 per cent between 2004/05 and 2005/06 and just 15 distraction burglaries were reported to Dyfed-Powys Police throughout 2005/ 06. Detective Chief Superintendent Steven Mears, head of the force's crime management and reduction department, stated: "These types of crime target the vulnerable in our communities and often leave the victims seriously traumatised. The low levels reported should provide great reassurance to local people that Dyfed-Powys is one of the safest places to live in the UK". "Distraction burglaries are also known as 'bogus calling' and those responsible often pose as officials such as council workers, police officers or representatives of water and gas companies to gain access to a property. Once inside and the victim is distracted, the burglary takes place," he said. "Throughout 2005/06, there were 801 reported dwelling burglaries in our Force, just over two a day across an area from Llanfyllin in the north right down to Ystradgynlais and Tenby in the south. Obviously we want to reduce that figure still further and with your support we hope to be able to do that," he added. Among the initiatives supported by the force to secure the homes of vulnerable people is the Bobby Van Scheme. This provides a free service to people over the age of 60 who have been victims of burglary, where a carpenter will assess the property and install crime prevention equipment such as door locks and chains at no cost. For further information on this scheme, please contact the Communities and Partnerships Department on 01267 226459.
