SUSSEX Police’s commitment to reducing burglaries led to 930 fewer victims in 2015, compared with 2014.

A 11 per cent reduction in burglaries saw 290 fewer victims of burglaries in their homes – the force revealed last month – and 640 fewer victims of other burglaries at businesses, garages and outbuildings.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Heater, in charge of tackling burglary in homes, said: “Our priority of preventing burglaries is matched by our hard work in targetting criminals, leading to substantial sentences for those who have burgled homes and businesses.

“The reductions already seen in the past year are very pleasing but we will not be complacent.

“We will develop our service, continue to target prolific burglars, make the public aware and with support of partners, including Neighbourhood Watch achieve greater reductions in the future.”

Investigators worked with forensic officers and neighbourhood teams to pursue lines of enquiry, recover property and bring persistent offenders to justice.

Det Ch Insp Heater said the success of the strategy was down to preventative work carried out in neighbourhoods and working closely with partners including the probation and youth service.

“Our ethos is to target the offender not the offence; monitoring suspects and restricting their ability to further offend through robust interventions.

“We also work closely with drugs services, ensuring that offenders who are vulnerable due to their lifestyle have every opportunity to address their drug addictions and turn away from crime.”