Crimestoppers and An Garda Síochána are asking homeowners to be vigilant against burglary as the evenings get darker.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Derek Byrne, the chairman of Crimestoppers Tim Dalton and the CEO of PhoneWatch, Eoin Dunne, have launched the campaign.
It is focusing on the impacts of burglary on Irish people and communities.
It is offering advice to the public on what they can do to minimise the risk of burglary, and help to combat the problem.
The most recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) say that from mid-2014 to mid-2015 there were 28,830 burglaries reported in Ireland. This was an increase of 8.4% from burglaries reported from mid-2013 to mid-2014.
Crimestoppers is advising householders that there are a number of measures they can follow to keep their home safe:
- Secure all windows and doors
- Light up you home and use timer switches when out
- Sign up to your local Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch schemes
- Consider installing a monitored alarm and installing outside lights
- Fit a door viewer/chain/limiter
- Keep your front and back doors locked day and night
- Don't keep spare keys outside - instead ensure your neighbour has a spare key for emergencies
- Mark your property and record serial numbers where appropriate
- Photograph your personal belongings, e.g. jewellery and keep these on file
- Keep a list of emergency numbers handy
- Do not open your door to anyone before you have checked who it is and what they want
- Do not leave strangers unattended at your door
- Ensure your back door is locked when you answer a call to your front door
Information on suspicious activity or persons can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers confidential telephone line on 1800-25-00-25.
Sergeant Dean Kerins is a crime prevention officer based in Navan.
He told Newstalk Breakfast alarms may mean burglars will stay less time in a premises - or avoid it altogether.
He says people should not keep large sums of cash in their property.
And he says fuel is becoming more popular with burglars as well.
