Police say burglary detection rates up sharply

PHUKET TOWN: Police detection rates in burglary offences have risen significantly this year compared with the previous two years, latest statistics from Phuket Town Police Station show. In 1997, police received 372 reports of burglary, and made arrests in 258 of them, a detection rate of 69%. Last year there were 401 reported burglaries, of which 282, or 70%, were solved. This year, up to August 31, there were 194 burglary cases, with 159 arrests, a detection rate of 82%. Pol Col Chalit Thintanee, superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette that most of the burglaries involved homes rather than commercial premises, and most were committed during daylight hours. This, he said, was because current economic conditions mean that, in many households, everyone is working, leaving homes empty during the day. He added that most of the suspects who have been arrested were from outside Phuket, attracted by the island’s reputation as Thailand’s richest province. About 20 two-man police patrols cover the town at night, Pol Col Chalit said. But, he added, “people must help the police. Please check your house before you leave, to make sure it is locked up securely. Phuket is not as safe as it used to be.” He advised anyone living in an area with an unusually high rate of burglaries to request the police to consider installing a red police reporting box next to their home. Police patrols check these areas at least once during the day and once at night.