Gardaí are urging householders to “Lock Up and Light Up” as the Winter Phase of Operation Thor gets underway.
The annual Garda operation runs from 1st October until 31st March and includes increased enforcement and crime prevention activity aimed at reducing burglaries during the darker winter months.
While international evidence suggests residential burglaries can rise during winter, Garda figures show a significant longer-term fall in Ireland.
Recorded residential burglaries between January and August 2026 were 72.2% lower than during the same period in 2015, the year Operation Thor was introduced.
During the first eight months of 2015, almost 12,600 residential burglaries were recorded nationally. Fewer than 3,500 were recorded during the same period this year.
Most winter burglaries happen after dark
Garda analysis of the last three winter phases of Operation Thor shows that 78.8% of residential burglaries took place between 4pm and 8am.
Almost one in four, 23.9%, involved entry through an unsecured door.
Louth Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant John Heavey said darker evenings can make vacant homes easier to identify.
“The most common time for burglaries to occur during the winter is between 4pm to 8am. During those hours, it’s quite easy to pick out a vacant property if it’s in darkness. No light means nobody is at home, and this provides an easy target for the opportunistic burglar.”
He added:
“Burglary is a particularly insidious crime because it strikes at the place where people should be safest, their own home. The impact can go far beyond the loss of property and for many victims, the sense of intrusion can stay with them for a very long time.”
‘Lock Up and Light Up’
Sergeant Heavey said the Garda winter burglary message is straightforward.
“An Garda Síochána’s winter burglary message is Lock Up and Light Up. By leaving on a light or bringing one on with a timer switch after 5pm, creates the impression somebody is at home.”
He encouraged householders to make sure doors, windows, sheds and outhouses are properly secured, and to avoid leaving valuables visible inside vehicles.
“Lock Up is an obvious crime prevention measure. Ensure all doors and windows have a good standard locking mechanism.”
He also advised people with valuable tools, bicycles, lawnmowers or other equipment in sheds to consider securing them together or anchoring them down.
Outdoor lighting, alarms, video doorbells and keeping entrance gates closed can all add further layers of security, he said.
Gardaí also advise people not to keep large amounts of cash at home and to store expensive jewellery securely.
Jewellery and accessories are among the most commonly stolen items during residential burglaries, according to Garda data.
Look out for neighbours
Gardaí are also asking people to look out for neighbours who may be more vulnerable and to report suspicious activity rather than assuming somebody else will do so.
Anyone who notices an unfamiliar vehicle or suspicious activity in their area is encouraged to contact their local Garda station.
Sergeant Heavey’s five main tips are:
- Keep entrance gates closed.
- Have a light come on in the home from around 5pm.
- Lock doors, windows and outhouses using good quality locks.
- Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home.
- Use an alarm or video doorbell as an additional deterrent.
The free Garda Property App can also be used to record details of valuable belongings, including jewellery and other personal property.
