The PSNI Area Commander for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Area has provided an update around the increase in burglaries which are displaying a particular trend and appear to emanate in Dublin.

Superintendent Clive Beatty told a recent meeting of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) the burglaries are occurring “right across Ireland”.

Describing how those involved, “Start in Dublin, do a loop and return back to Dublin”, are carrying out between three and five burglaries in random locations at any one time.

He said, “They steal cars along the way, or buy them, and have 6-12 sets of false registration plates hidden here and there. They put their finger on a map and say, ‘That’s where we hit today.’ There are three to five burglaries in that area then they disappear into the night.”

Superintendent Beatty told members this is not a border issue and An Garda Siochana are reporting the same incidents, with Cork “hit” a few days ago, and there remains an “upward, relentless trend.”

In relation to the burglaries in Fermanagh, it emerged good CCTV footage has been recovered from some crime scenes.

“They are looking for money and jewellery,” said Superintendent Beatty. “Items which are easy to move on. In one instance they ignored an iPad and a computer, taking only cash. Thousands of pounds (overall) in cash have been stolen.”

A member enquired if there was any suggestion of inside information, but the superintendent said, “No – absolutely not. “

He explained potential issues around ‘cold-callers’ have been checked but found to have no relevance.

There has been successful tracking of the thieves in some instances, one of which involved starting in Donegal, then on to Strabane, Omagh, Lack and Pettigo.

“They lie up for a night in a guest hours and then disappear,” said Superintendent Beatty. “You would want a police officer stationed every 50 yards, 24 hours a day. There is no rhyme nor reason.

“But they don’t hit properties with burglar alarms or obvious CCTV, so they are cute enough to know where to avoid.”

He added burglaries are conducted at high speed citing one incident in which a lock on a PVC door was broken open in six seconds, and the preparators were “In and out in 90 seconds, with £1,500 gone.”

In response to an enquiry on whether the attacks were opportunistic or premises were being watched, Superintendent Beatty replied: “There is a pattern. They (burglars) strike quite late when it’s starting to get dark. Under cover of darkness they knock the door, get no answer and strike. It was confirmed figures suggest those targeted are generally older members of the community leaving them “Extremely frightened.”

Superintendent Beattie said the message needs to get out discouraging people from keeping large sums of cash in their homes and urged the community to remain vigilant and look out for their neighbours.