Operation ABREGATE was a burglary reduction initiative which was carried out between 10-14th October in Highfields and Sharrow. The aim of the operation was to deliver crime reduction advice to residents in specific areas, which had been identified by analysis as streets where a higher proportion of burglaries had occurred in the past three years. Most of these areas identified have a high percentage of student accomodation and most of the burglaries reported are carried out at student properties. For this reason the operation was delivered in partnership with Sheffield Universities and carried out at the start of the new academic year when the Universities also carry out their yearly Student Safety Initiative.
During the operation a total of 2789 properties were visited by officers, many of these being multi - occupancy properties.
1102 individual residents were given personal crime reduction advice and literature to reduce their chances of becoming a future victims of burglary.
During the operation, whilst on patrol , officers also identified 430 vulnerable properties, leaving advice for residents, where windows had been left open and residents were not at home.
Although this operation was targeted particularly at students living in our area, ALL RESIDENTS living on the streets identified in the analysis benefitted from this operation and welcomed the advice and attention provided by officers.
Obviously the success of this operation will depend on whether residents now put the advice given into practice to ensure they are not an easy target for burglars by leaving doors unlocked and windows open.