’Lock Up and Light Up’: How to make your property safe against burglars this winter

BURGLARY is a particularly nasty criminal scourge on society, leaving homeowners, and renters reeling from a psychological and financial...

BURGLARY is a particularly nasty criminal scourge on society, leaving homeowners, and renters reeling from a psychological and financial aftershock.

Two recent burglaries in County Limerick sparked a call by Limerick Gardaí to remind people what measures they can implement to avoid being the victim of a home invasion.

Crime Prevention Offer at Henry Street Garda Station, Sergeant Michelle O’Halloran, described a chilling crime in which intruders entered a Newcastle West home while the occupant was sleeping in the property on October 3.

“It was approximately 1.20am when Gardaí in Newcastle West received a report of intruders entering a house in the Rathina area of Newcastle West,” said Sergeant O’Halloran.

“The male occupant was in bed at the time and the intruders searched the property before leaving.

“Gardaí in Newcastle West are investigating the incident and are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to contact Newcastle West Garda Station (069 20 650),” said Sergeant O’Halloran.

The following day (October 2), at around 1am, Gardaí in Kilmallock received a report of two burglars entering a house in the Fanstown area, again “while the homeowner was in bed” sleeping, Sergeant O’Halloran said.

She said that, after the two intruders searched the property, “they subsequently took the spare keys for the homeowner’s car, along with a quantity of cash”.

“Gardaí in Kilmallock are investigating and are appealing to anyone who may have been in the Fanstown area at around 1am and who observed any suspicious individuals or vehicles to contact Kilmallock Garda Station (063 98 018), or information can also be provided to the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”

In an effort to crackdown on burglaries in the Limerick area and beyond its borders, Gardaí launched a “Winter Phase of Operation Thor” which runs throughout October through to March 31 next year.

“The operation involves increased enforcement and crime prevention activity aimed at preventing and tackling burglary, particularly during the darker winter months when there are fewer hours of daylight,” explained Sergeant O’Halloran.

Sergeant O’Halloran said that since Operation Thor was established in 2015, there has been a “very significant reduction in recorded burglary”, with a 72.2 per cent reduction when comparing January to August 2015 with January to August 2026.

“While burglary remains a concern, it is important to recognise the significant progress that has been made,” said Sergeant O’Halloran.

Latest CSO figures show that Limerick registered 17 burglaries per 10,000 population, one above the national average, in 2025.

Sergeant O’Halloran said that Operation Thor is an “organisation-wide approach” involving Gardaí at Divisional level, supported by national and specialist units, such as the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau; the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Garda Síochána Analysis Service; Crime Prevention and Roads Policing.

Operation Thor “brings that expertise together to prevent burglaries, target prolific offenders and organised crime groups, and ultimately bring those responsible before the courts”, offered Sergreant O’Halloran.

Darker winter evenings also bring more opportunities for breaking into homes and premises, and approximately four in every five residential burglaries – 78.8 per cent – occurred between 4pm and 8am, according to statistics provided in the last three winter phases of Operation Thor.

“It is particularly important at this time of year that homeowners consider how their property looks when it gets dark. A completely dark house can potentially indicate that nobody is home and may make the property more attractive to an opportunistic burglar,” advised Sergeant O’Halloran.

“That is where our ‘Lock Up and Light Up’ message comes in. It is a very simple message — Have a light come on in your home from around 5pm each evening, particularly if the property is going to be unoccupied.

“A timer switch is a very inexpensive way of doing this and creates the impression that someone is at home.”

Sergeant O’Halloran acknowledged that people are “understandably conscious of energy costs”, but she advised that “LED bulbs are much more economical to run than traditional bulbs” if considering lights on time switches.

“Smart bulbs are another option, as they can be programmed or controlled remotely using a mobile phone. The important thing is to avoid leaving your home in complete darkness when you’re not there,” she said.

It sounds obvious, but it is one of the most important crime prevention measures, according to Gardaí.

During the last three winter phases of Operation Thor, approximately 23.9 per cent of residential burglaries involved entry through an unsecured door.

“Make sure all doors and windows are properly locked, even if you’re only going out for a short period, and check that your locks are in good condition and consider additional or secondary locks where appropriate,” offered Sergeant O’Halloran.

“Keep them locked and don’t leave valuable tools, equipment, or machinery unsecured. If you have items such as bicycles, lawnmowers or boat engines stored outside or in an outhouse, consider chaining them together or anchoring them to a secure point.”

Security starts outside the home, explained the Henry Street Crime Prevention Officer.

“Security is really is about layers. Your first physical layer is your boundary – your wall, fence, and gates. If you have entrance gates, get into the habit of keeping them closed.”

Good external lighting is also important with motion-activated lighting being “particularly effective”.

“Homeowners should make sure it illuminates the approach to the house without interfering with CCTV or video doorbell images,” added Sergeant O’Halloran.

A house alarm is another important layer of security, as is a video doorbell.

“These can act as useful deterrents and provide additional security around the home.”

So, what are burglars generally looking for when they enter a property?

Sergeant O’Halloran said: “Cash and expensive jewellery remain attractive to burglars. Our advice is not to keep large amounts of cash in the home.”

“Valuable jewellery should ideally be stored securely in a suitable safe or safety deposit box when it isn’t being worn. It’s also worth remembering that burglars are generally looking for items that are easy to carry and have a high value.”

Sergeant O’Halloran said: “I would strongly encourage people to use the free Garda Property App. It allows you to record details and photographs of personal property, including jewellery and other valuable items.”

If something is subsequently lost or stolen, having a detailed record can assist An Garda Síochána with identifying and recovering that property.

“People should also keep an eye out for local property marking engagement days organised by Community Policing Units.

Neighbourly co-operation “is extremely important. Looking out for each other is a very positive approach to crime prevention, particularly when it comes to more vulnerable members of our communities,” the sergeant said.

“If you’re away from home, ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property, and where appropriate, do the same for them.

“We would also encourage people to be aware of unusual activity in their area. If you see a vehicle, car or van travelling around a residential area and something doesn’t look or feel right, don’t simply assume that somebody else will report it.

“Contact your local Garda station or, where appropriate, 999 or 112 if there is an immediate emergency.”