Kensington and Chelsea residents benefit from free home security measures

Kensington and Chelsea residents are less likely to be a victim of burglary today than at any other time this century.

Residential burglary figures have been slashed by half in seven years - falling from 2,520 in the year 2000 to 1,226 in 2007.

Crime prevention officers in the Community Safety Team, a joint council and police team, have been working hard over the past few years reinforcing and protecting the homes of burglary victims.

As part of the free ‘target hardening’ scheme, crime prevention officers visit victims and repeat victims to assess the vulnerability of their home.

Following these assessments, action taken has included improved communal door security, fitting stronger doors and door locks, better lighting in communal areas and improved window locks. In some cases work has included electronic intruder alarms, fencing and gated entry systems to communal garden areas.     

Around 500 homes a year have received these security measures at no cost to the owner or occupier. In the year 2006/07 £137,000 was spent improving the security of 560 dwellings.

Councillor Warwick Lightfoot, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “There are many reasons why burglary is falling, not least the excellent work by police in targeting known criminals. However, the free target hardening scheme has been a significant help.

“By focusing on vulnerable properties and victims of burglary, our officers in the Community Safety Team have no doubt prevented many other residents from becoming victims.

"It is testament to their hard work, and that of the local police, that burglary figures have halved in just seven years.”