Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 10:31am

Thefts of handbags, oil and mobiles on the up

MOST crimes recorded in Fermanagh have dropped but theft, fraud and forgery here are on the rise, The Impartial Reporter can reveal.

Figures released by the PSNI show an increase in some of the crimes committed in the county over the last 12 months.

Police have witnessed an influx in thefts of farm machinery, heating oil, handbags and mobile phones and admit they are "concerned".

Sector Commander, Inspector Roy Robinson said: "Thefts of trailers and mobile phones are probably the most frequent, to be honest. Mobile phones are easily stolen. A lot of thefts are in shops, particularly last year with the southern trade there was a lot people coming to town just to steal. In the last while shops here have taken a grip of this and employed store detectives. And with the aid of CCTV cameras and detections in the store, it has certainly helped apprehend thieves. Trailers, machinery and plant in Fermanagh is the other aspect that is very concerning.

"We are on the border and criminals can come up so easily; we've had trailers and farm machinery stolen right along the border. Right up as far as John Deere tractors, mini diggers and diggers, it's worrying. I would really ask people for the sake of a couple of hundreds pounds for a machine worth £30-40,000, to install a tracker device. They also get a reduction on their insurance for putting a tracker in these devices. Securing machinery is very important," he said.

"Since the winter months came in, heating oil has been a big one. We've had three or four instances in Irvinestown alone where heating oil has been stolen not long after it was delivered. And handbags is also another big one. I would say do not leave your handbag in your car if you're going to worship or to the supermarket. Carry your handbag with you and carry money on your person, so it's completely secure. Make sure your handbag is completely zipped," explained Inspector Robinson.

"Theft in Fermanagh is on the rise but crime generally has come down. The F District is still one of the safest places to live in the whole of Northern Ireland," said Inspector Robinson.