Coventry City Police have pulled off the unprecedented move of entering people’s houses without permission and Tweeting images of themselves hanging out inside unlocked homes.
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The crew who spent January on “burglary patrol” wanted to flag up security risks and raise public awareness of how easy it can be for robbers to find their way inside poorly secured homes.
Here are some examples:
On burglary patrol making sure life is not being made easy for thieves……
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 23, 2016
We're still finding windows open, this resident has been advised and now has a secure property #thankfulresident pic.twitter.com/J5xtPoFgGw
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 25, 2016
PCSO's currently out & about in burglary hot spot area. Finding doors left insecure. Please keep them locked pic.twitter.com/SS79FkGCUf
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 8, 2016
Dark alleyways and insecure gates are just what burglars want. Check your property is secure this evening pic.twitter.com/M1i4VP5yA9
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 8, 2016
Please ensure you lock communal gates. This is unlocked & provides easy access to rear of houses pic.twitter.com/5pjTkxaQ86
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 23, 2016
Continuing our burglary patrols and still finding insecure doors and windows #frustrating #stoleninseconds pic.twitter.com/BtLELKe4yV
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 6, 2016
Folks, remember to check gates to side and rear entries, your giving thieves opportunity to access rear of homes pic.twitter.com/Eos4fLoarK
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 22, 2016
Edge of City Centre, open window, we'll keep badgering people – Don't make it easy for thieves #stoleninseconds pic.twitter.com/tWt7klUUTa
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 17, 2016
Folks, please remember to close shared doors/gates, an extra layer of security can put off thieves #stoleninseconds pic.twitter.com/bkwUzEhXvl
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 14, 2016
These are the ones that REALLY took the piss though – police Tweeting practically Tweeting from people’s living rooms. These images have since been deleted from the Twitter account following the backlash but here are some screenshots:
And here’s the response:
@JudgeShavie @Covcitypolice My right to privacy ?!! Ah why dont we just set up cameras inside our homes for the police to watch for us 24/7
— Jack Fowler (@JCisJD) January 25, 2016
@Covcitypolice #stoleninseconds If you enter my home like this, dont be surprised if I use reasonable force when I hear you @IPCCNews @cpsuk
— Craig (@Craig24x7) January 24, 2016
@Covcitypolice Tweeting pics of inside unlocked home deeply offensive and invasion of privacy and illegal. Be prepared to be sued.
— Melanie Wright (@pachamamados) January 26, 2016
Coventry City Police responded to the backlash with this explanation:
On finding open door, we shout for occupants, before entering to find someone to lock the door & make sure burglary has taken place already
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 23, 2016
Thanks all for the feedback on one of the burglary prevention tactics. We'll review based on feedback #socialmediasuccess ?
— Coventry City Centre Police (@CoventryCityWMP) January 24, 2016
Aside from the two photos taken literally inside people’s houses, I don’t think this is too bad a move? Especially if it means people will take better care in securing their homes before going out. Even if that means going all-out with some Home Alone style booby traps.
P.S. Remember – not all burglars are a bad bunch. This one took the time to bake a potato and rake some leaves before making his getaway.
