Police in Bickley and Sundridge, London, have issued warnings about a new technique burglars use to assess if residents are away, particularly during holiday periods. They are reportedly leaving dirt or items on doorsteps to see if they are removed, signalling that the occupants are home. Recent criminal activity has included daytime break-ins, raising concerns about safety. With high burglary rates across England and Wales and a Channel 4 investigation highlighting the Metropolitan Police's struggle to solve such crimes, residents are urged to remain vigilant.
We have been informed that the suspect has been moving/leaving items or putting dirt on the doorstep to see if it is cleaned by occupants, to check if you are home or on holiday.
Earlier this month, the area's Neighbourhood Watch issued a warning after a man allegedly broke into several homes in broad daylight.
The latest figures show England and Wales's police forces received 238,893 crime reports about burglary in 2024.
A Channel 4 Dispatches investigation last year found the Metropolitan Police had not identified a single suspect in investigations into neighbourhood crimes such as phone and bike thefts.
Collection
[
|
...
]