The Royal Anguilla Police Force is urging property owners in Anguilla to be vigilant and to ensure that their property and their valuables are secured at all time.
This appeal has become necessary with the increase in burglaries especially to commercial properties on the island. Between the period January to February 2015 of the 21 burglary reports made to the police 3 (14%) were related to commercial properties. Comparatively, during the same period this year of the 28 burglary reports made to the police 7(25%) were related to commercial properties. The statistics also shows that while there is an overall 33% increase in burglaries, burglaries on commercial properties accounts for 72% of the increase.
As a result the RAPF is recommending property owners to invest in the installation of security cameras and proper lighting for their properties to serve as a deterrent to would be burglars. However persons who install security systems on their premises must ensure on a regular basis that the system is up and running properly. Additional every effort should be made to reduce the amount of cash and other valuables left unsecured on your premises.
While the RAPF realizes that statistically there are periods during the year when this sort of criminal activity increases, such as October – December and June– August the preventative efforts by individual property owner can help to reduce the opportunity for it happening in the first place.
Always remember if you observe something out of the ordinary occurring always alert your neigbour, a family member or the police if necessary.