Wednesday 22nd September 2010
If you're a resident of Bolsover you're being invited to look out for a 'burglar' who'll be prowling the town this month - and if you spot him, you could win a shed or window alarm.
 
'Cyril The Burglar' (pictured left) is no ordinary burglar though - he is actually a Community Support Officer - and is out to raise awareness about burglary rather than to steal anything.
 
The Bolsover Community Safety Partnership has funded this project. The 'Cyril the Burglar' initiative will be organised by police officers from the Bolsover Safer Neighbourhood Team during the first week of Operation Relentless, a scheme which is all about Improving Local Neighbourhoods.

Cyril's visits will highlight the need for security and how easy it is to prevent your property from being targeted. While he is walking the streets he will be looking for properties, vehicles and outbuildings that are insecure and will leave crime prevention packs at them.

Uniformed officers will also be in the area, talking to residents about security and handing out packs. People living in, working in and visiting the area who spot Cyril are being encouraged to call the special report line to get themselves a window alarm.

Police report that though the number of household burglaries in Bolsover fell during the last quarter, in 99 of the crimes during that period, the offenders got into the property as a result of insecure doors or windows including ones left open.

Posters and leaflets with Cyril's photo on them have been widely distributed in the areas concerned. They reveal that Cyril will be in Sandhills Road and Horsehead Lane between 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm on September 27; in Ridgedale Road and Carr Vale from 7am to 11am on September 28; and in Palterton and Hillstown from 12.30pm until 4.30pm on September 29.
 
On September 30, Cyril will be visiting the Castle Estate, Hilltop and Oxcroft Lane between 10 am and 2.00 pm and will make his final appearance on October 1st when he will be in Stanfree and Shuttlewood between 2pm and 6pm.

Anyone who spots him should call 07902 218777.
 
Partnership Sgt Paul Smith said: "We hope that Cyril will prove an effective way of making people think about the need to ensure their properties are secure and raise awareness about suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods.
 
"Residents can significantly reduce their chance of being targeted by burglars by taking a few simple steps such as making sure windows and doors are secure and good quality locks are fitted on their doors and outbuildings.

If you have any information about crime and wish to remain anonymous please phone Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111

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