Beating burglary together: each role matters

We are shining a light on the varied and vital roles that our people undertake in tackling burglary. We know that this is an area of great concern for our communities. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show a year on year reduction in burglary of 11% - but we will not be complacent. Our campaign, beating burglary together, aims to enlist the support of our county and highlights the work we are doing to address this invasive crime.

Today we want to introduce DC Andy Bates of the Lincoln Criminal Investigation Department, Intelligence Analyst Alastair Pamment, Tara Lucas from Crime Scene Investigations and Sally Picker, a Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor.

Next week we will be highlighting the work of our force lead for burglary DCI Jo Fortune, James Bateman from Integrated Offender Management, Sian Nethercott from Victim Lincs and Stuart Wilson from the Digital Forensics Unit.

These are our people, and their work continues to support victims, reduce burglary and bring offenders to justice.

 

DC Andy Bates – Criminal Investigations

This is Detective Constable Andy Bates of the Lincoln Criminal Investigation Department (CID). When you report a burglary, it’s officers like Andy who will attend and investigate.

His job involves conducting initial fast track enquiries. He will make house to house enquires, seek out CCTV or doorbell footage and take statements to build his case. Andy will also assess the scene, noting anything that might be relevant for Crime Scene Investigators. The victim will be at the heart of Andy’s considerations and they will be referred for further support from Victim Lincs and, in some cases, from a Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor.

Identifying a suspect as soon as possible is Andy’s aim. He will undertake stolen property enquiries, make local and national intelligence checks and link in with Integrated Offender Management. When a suspect is identified, he will locate and arrest them or circulate them as wanted.

Andy’s job includes interviewing the suspect and searching properties where relevant. If the evidential test is passed, Andy will create a file for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for authority to charge the suspect.

Andy will prepare full files for Crown Court and attend trials to assist the prosecution or give evidence.

Throughout the whole process, Andy will keep the victim updated.

Over the last year, according to figures released from the Office for National Statistics, Lincolnshire saw a year-on-year reduction in burglary of 11% (against a national drop of 1%). Our people, such as Andy, each contribute towards this downward trend and help keep Lincolnshire safe.

 

Alastair Pamment - Intelligence 

Alastair is a Crime and Intelligence Analyst for residential burglary. He has been in the role for three years and covers the whole force area meaning he has a strategic overview of the county and is able to identify trends and patterns of offences in Lincolnshire.

When a pattern or series is identified, Alastair will review and compile the data, producing products such as a summary of offences, a 60-second briefing or a mapping report showing exactly where each burglary happened. These products provide a comparison of offences, detailing when and where they’re occurring, what MOs are employed and what’s being targeted. By sharing these reports with the Crime Scene Investigator teams, Intelligence Development Units, Inspectors, Integrated Offender Management and other forces, Alastair’s analysis allows us to work more effectively to tackle burglary. Problems are identified early and resources can be allocated to deal more efficiently with the issue.

Our work to combat caravan burglaries on the coast through the summertime policing plan provides an example of where Alastair’s work has contributed significantly towards keeping the county safe. Through regular analysis and reporting of offences, our response was intelligence-lead with targeted patrols in certain areas at certain times. This approach helped contribute to a number of arrests and a 55.2% year on year drop in recorded offences of caravan burglary in 2023 compared with 2022.

Alastair reviews residential burglaries daily. Every month he produces an intelligence assessment report which feeds into force Tactical Tasking and Coordination Group. Here, any upcoming or current issues that are affecting Lincolnshire are raised and responses are discussed and actioned.
Alastair also produces an annual strategic report on burglary which is a high-level look at the problem across the county. It shows how we’re doing against the previous four years, highlights the areas and themes that are a problem, and provides an annual comparison as to how we’re performing.

 

Tara Lucas – Crime Scene Investigations

This is Tara Lucas. Tara is one of the managers of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) department for Lincolnshire Police.

CSI attend burglaries to record the crime scene by means of photography and note taking. Their job is to gather any forensic evidence that may help to identify an offender.

Initially CSI will review and assess any burglary incidents for forensic potential. A CSI may contact a victim for further information such as, has the scene been cleaned up? What have the offenders touched?

Arrangements will then be made to attend the scene, usually with a victim present.

CSI will look for any fingerprints on smooth surfaces, using specialist fingerprint powders. They will also look for any DNA sources, such as blood, and process these if found. Apart from trying to find evidence to identify the offender for a burglary, they will also look for evidence that may link that same offender to another crime, for example, specific tool marks or footwear marks.

On return from the crime scene, CSI’s process any evidence found and forward it for examination. Fingerprints are analysed by trained specialists at a Fingerprint Bureau in Nottinghamshire. Any DNA evidence may be sent to an external laboratory for analysis.

 

Sally Picker – Crime Reduction

Sally Picker is a Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor, based at Grantham Police Station but covering the whole of West Division. Sally has worked in the Crime Reduction/Prevention & Partnership Department for 26 years.

Sally’s role includes visits to victims of burglary, which can be referred or requested where specific security advice is required.

A burglary can leave victims feeling violated, vulnerable and unsafe in their own home. The loss of sentimental items is extremely difficult to come to terms with. Sally offers practical advice to increase security of the property which helps the occupants not only be, but very importantly, feel safer in their own home.

Looking at the location and working from the perimeter of the property Sally undertakes a full assessment/survey, taking into account the principles of crime reduction which will always be realistic, cost effective and proportionate to the risk.

Sally gives guidance about boundaries, access, shed/outbuilding security, lighting, CCTV, alarm systems, windows, doors and types/standards of locks. Sally might also talk with the residents about safes, cycle storage, marking and registration of property and vehicle security, including trackers and Faraday key storage.

Sally gives information about alarm inspectorates and Secured by Design products and services.

A visit from Sally aims to make sure that the homeowner has all the relevant information to better secure their home and property, which provides re-assurance and peace of mind.

Find out more about our Beating Burglary Together campaign which sets out our commitment to give an insight into how we tackle burglary, raise awareness of where incidents are happening, and provide crime prevention and security advice. 

Crime prevention recommendations 

• Consider if your locks need upgrading to a professionally fitted anti-snap lock. You can find a local locksmith on the Master Locksmiths Association website.   
• We recommend Immobilise where you can log your valuables and record serial numbers – this helps in our investigations and means you are more likely to get your property back if it’s stolen. 
• By becoming part of your local Neighbourhood Watch, you’ll be joining other like-minded neighbours who, by keeping their eyes and ears open, help to keep potential criminals out of the area.  
• For more information about reducing your risk of burglary, visit our website section on crime prevention.