Police officers are to spend their time on duty throwing paper aeroplanes through homeowner’s open windows as part of a bizarre crime prevention campaign.
The move is hoped to highlight the dangers of leaving windows and doors open during the summer, following a spate of burglaries.
But the unorthodox campaign has prompted calls for officers to spend more time catching the criminals.
Police officers are to spend their time on duty throwing paper aeroplanes through homeowner’s open windows as part of a bizarre crime prevention campaign. The move is hoped to highlight the dangers of leaving windows and doors open during the summer, following a spate of burglaries
Police in Dorset said on Wednesday that officers on the beat would have a supply of the blue coloured high quality paper planes and when they spot an open window, they will turn to the schoolboy practice of flying the planes in through the window.
A spokesman for Dorset Police revealed their new tactic with the slogan: ‘Dorset Police flies to new heights to tackle burglary.’
‘We want to raise awareness of how to prevent becoming a victim of burglary,’ said the spokesman.
‘A week of action is underway, which began on Monday and is running until Sunday July 29, reminding people to secure their homes this summer.
‘As part of daily patrols, neighbourhood policing teams across the county have been distributing paper airplanes through doors and windows of insecure properties.
But the unorthodox campaign has prompted calls for officers to spend more time catching the criminals. Police in Dorset said on Wednesday that officers on the beat would have a supply of the blue coloured high quality paper planes and when they spot an open window, they will turn to the schoolboy practice of flying the planes in through the window
Chief Inspector James Vaughan of Dorset Police
‘The paper airplanes contain advice on securing properties and information on how to find out some simple steps to prevent an opportunistic burglar entering your home.
‘When neighbourhood policing teams spot an open door or window, they will be attempting to contact the homeowner and offer advice and crime prevention tips.
‘Over a three month period from June 1 2017 to August 31 2017 a total of 431 residential burglaries were reported in Dorset. In comparison, during three winter months between December 2017 and February 2018 a total of 361 burglaries were reported.’
Detective Inspector Neil Wright, of the priority crime team, said: ‘During the warmer evenings, more people tend to leave windows and doors open and enjoy their back gardens out of sight of the front of their properties.
It follows a similarly bizarre initiative by Coventry City Police in 2016 where officers were accused of ‘breaking and entering’ and ‘trespassing’ after letting themselves into people’s unlocked homes and tweeting pictures
Coventry City Police team faced an angry backlash on social media after publicising how officers have been testing front doors while on carrying out burglary patrols of the city
‘We have launched this new initiative to raise awareness of simple steps the public can take to prevent a burglary. If your home looks insecure to you, it will look insecure to a burglar.
‘Remember to always lock your doors and windows wherever possible. Don’t give burglars the opportunity to gain access to your property.
‘If you are going away, let your neighbours know and ask them to keep an eye on your property or park their car on your drive to give the impression your property is occupied. Also, be sure to cancel any regular deliveries such as milk or newspapers.’
The photos, one of which was retweeted by West Midlands Police’s chief constable, showed police inside hallways to make a point that the homeowner’s property was ‘unsecure
The approach has sparked outrage online, with one Twitter user, Craig Walder, posting: ‘If you enter my home like this, don’t be surprised if I use reasonable force when I hear you’
It follows a similarly bizarre initiative by Coventry City Police in 2016 where officers were accused of ‘breaking and entering’ and ‘trespassing’ after letting themselves into people’s unlocked homes and tweeting pictures.
Coventry City Police team faced an angry backlash on social media after publicising how officers have been testing front doors while on carrying out burglary patrols of the city.
The photos, one of which was retweeted by West Midlands Police’s chief constable, showed police inside hallways to make a point that the homeowner’s property was ‘unsecure’.