Gardaí have issued advice to holiday home owners after a number of recent burglaries of vacant homes in the south Donegal area.
At least three burglaries have prompted Gardai to issue an appeal to homeowners to be more security conscious.
A burglary took place at a vacant holiday home between April 29th and June 29th in the area of Lerginacarha in Ardara. The front door of the property was damaged and entry was gained. The garden shed door was also forced open. Nothing was stolen from the property.
Between June 30th and July 12th entry was gained to a vacant holiday home at Doonin, Kilcar. Substantial damage was caused to the property as a result of it being ransacked by intruders.
On a date between June 1st and July 12th , a burglary occurred at a vacant cottage in the area of Largybrack, Glencolmcille. Damage was caused to the front door and entry was gained. Nothing was stolen from the property.
If you are going away on holiday please consider the following crime prevention advice:
- Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property
- If possible leave a car in the driveway as this gives the impression that someone is at home. Ensure that it is locked and do not leave cash or other valuables inside
- Cancel deliveries such as milk and ask someone to collect your post
- Lock away wheelie bins, ladders and other tools that could be used to climb on or force entry
- Keep your garden tidy, and if you’re away for a prolonged period of time, ask someone to cut your grass
- Secure your garden shed with a good quality lock and independently secure bikes and other high value items. Consider marking high value items with your Eircode or other property marking system
- Cash and jewellery remain the targeted items. Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home and either take your jewellery with you or invest in a good quality safe.
- Consider installing a video doorbell. These are becoming very affordable and allows you to remotely answer a caller to your door; which again gives the impression someone is at home
- Do not post photos or other details of your trip online
- Notify Gardaí that your home will be vacant for a period of time. They can then include your address in their patrols
