Dear NHW Coordinators,

Listening to your feedback, I’m am endeavouring to provide our communities with relevant and timely information regarding Burglary risks in your area.

Sharing information in this way, can be contentious, and holds the potential to compromise future policing activity.

As such, whilst I recognise your desire to disseminate details to others who may be effected, please do so in a considered manner.

This week, I have been speaking with my detective counterparts: a series of burglary offences have been identified, now named as Op Agnes.

These offences span a wide area; encompassing as far as Chesham to Burnham, and Chalfont St. Giles to Beaconsfield.

Offences have occurred between 14:00 hours -20:00 hours. 

Offenders are smashing glass in the rear doors to gain entry, targeting cash, jewellery and safes: they have often worn medical masks to obscure their facial features. 

Buckinghamshire is amongst a number of counties which have suffered burglaries linked to this series.

We are working with these colleagues and I understand related suspects have been arrested, from outside the Thames Valley area.

Considering the described method of offending, attention to the rear of properties is especially valuable.

Video cameras and burglar alarms are increasingly accessible options, and widely regarded as valuable additions to home security.

Personally, I would also recommend security film to rear-facing, glazed apertures: this is an often overlooked security measure, which would directly frustrate this nature of offending.

Of course, community vigilance is another asset when combatting these crimes; epitomised by your Neighbourhood Watch groups, themselves.

Thank you for your support in making Buckinghamshire an unappealing area for burglars.

Kind Regards,