Burglars becoming more brazen as they target homes

The actions of burglars are becoming ever more brazen as over 30 burglaries are reported throughout County Meath in the first three weeks of October. 
On Friday 17th October, burglars accessed the upper level of a home in Athlumney Castle, Navan, in broad daylight by scaling the down-pipe on the exterior of the house before entering the property.
The break-in took place between 12 noon and 3.30pm and a number of items were taken.
Such day-time break-ins are becoming increasingly prevalent with half of the burglaries recorded in October taking place between 12 noon and 4pm.
In two separate incidents, thieves used a ladder to access properties which were occupied at the time.
In one case, burglars accessed the home through an open window in an upstairs bedroom. The thieves escaped with a number of items.
Meanwhile, the owners of the second property heard thieves attempting to open the front window and they fled. 
According to Sergeant Dean Kerins, the garda crime prevention officer for Meath, doors remain a vulnerability in the majority of cases.
“Of the 30 burglaries, three houses left the doors open, 11 were forced open and eight of them had the barrel popped in the doors,” he said.