Police accused of trespassing after anti-burglary campaign backfires

Updated
A Coventry PCSO checking an open window.
A Coventry PCSO checking an open window.



Coventry City Police have come under fire for a controversial way of alerting people to the dangers of leaving their home unlocked.

Officers have been out and about over the last week as part of a burglary prevention campaign, trying the doors of homes in the area. On finding unlocked properties, they went in - and tweeted pictures of themselves inside.

One photo showed a security alarm inside a hallway with the caption: "Spotted this alarm, great addition to home security, but we were able to walk into its owners home through open door."

Another showed an officer inside a different house, with the comment: "Another house left open, owner advised, that's 6 in half hour!! Stop making life easy for thieves."

The force initially claimed residents were 'grateful' - but were put right through an outcry on Twitter. The pictures have now been taken down.

Locals have complained that many of the houses could be identified from the photos, potentially attracting thieves.

Others were outraged by the invasion of privacy: "If you enter my home like this, don't be surprised if I use reasonable force when I hear you," wrote one.

"You can't just be walking into people's homes. It's a complete invasion of privacy," said another.
%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-crime-stories%
On Twitter, the force attempted to reassure the public, explaining: "On finding open door, we shout for occupants, before entering to find someone to lock the door & make sure burglary has [sic] taken place already".

However, some users suggested that the tactic could be seen unfavourably, to say the least, by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Officers are only deemed not to require a warrant to enter a property when arresting someone for a serious crime, recapturing someone unlawfully at large, saving a life or preventing serious damage to a person or property.

In a statement, Coventry Police Chief Inspector Helen Kirkman, said that more than a quarter of burglaries in the city were 'walk in' offences where thieves took advantage of properties left unlocked.

"If they find a door or window left open I think people would want officers to check everything is OK at that address and not to just walk on by," she said.

However, it seems the force does have a sense of humour. After deleting the photographs from its account, it tweeted: "Thanks all for the feedback on one of the burglary prevention tactics. We'll review based on feedback #socialmediasuccess?"

UK's Top Burglary Hotspots Revealed
UK's Top Burglary Hotspots Revealed







Advertisement