LONDON -- Coventry City Police have been criticised after tweeting a series of images showing themselves standing inside unlocked homes.
Throughout January, the Coventry City Police Team's Twitter account has put out a number of pictures showing officers standing inside houses they've found unlocked while on "burglary patrol." The intention appears to be to flag up security risks and raise the public's awareness of how easy it can be for thieves to access badly secured homes.
Many of the pictures have since been deleted.
Coventry Police criticised for going into people's homes & tweeting photos #HeartNews https://t.co/aspq9mn3ZE pic.twitter.com/cYd07CjLIo— West Mids News (@HeartWMidsNews) January 26, 2016
Pictures showing open doors, windows and officers opening gates into alleyways are still on their feed, though.
On burglary patrol making sure life is not being made easy for thieves......— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) 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— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) 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— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 8, 2016
Dark alleyways and insecure gates are just what burglars want. Check your property is secure this evening pic.twitter.com/M1i4VP5yA9— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 8, 2016
Please ensure you lock communal gates. This is unlocked & provides easy access to rear of houses pic.twitter.com/5pjTkxaQ86— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 23, 2016
Continuing our burglary patrols and still finding insecure doors and windows #frustrating #stoleninseconds pic.twitter.com/BtLELKe4yV— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) 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— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) 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— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) 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— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 14, 2016
The tactic has really divided people on social media.
@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 love the initiative today of tweeting from empty houses. Good work.— Oliver George (@OlliGeorgeF1) January 25, 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 put out the following clarification on Saturday.
On finding open door, we shout for occupants, before entering to find someone to lock the door & make sure burglary has taken place already— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 23, 2016
On Monday they tweeted to say they were reviewing their tactics based on feedback; at some time later that day, the tweets showing officers inside empty houses were deleted.
Thanks all for the feedback on one of the burglary prevention tactics. We'll review based on feedback #socialmediasuccess ?— Cov City Police (@Covcitypolice) January 24, 2016
West Midlands Police sent Mashable the following statement from Coventry Police Chief Inspector Helen Kirkman.
"A significant proportion all burglaries in this area − in excess of 25 per cent − are ‘walk-in’ offences committed by opportunists taking advantage of properties left unsecure.
“Neighbourhood police teams have been on patrol to deter such offences, look for suspects, and to offer crime prevention advice to residents. If they find a door or window left open I think people would want officers to check everything is OK at that address and not to just walk on by.
“We have had very positive feedback from residents…they are grateful for officers pointing out what they’ve found and the advice they’re offered.
“We encourage our police teams to be proactive and creative in their use of social media to engage with the public and get messages across. We haven’t received any complaints from residents but obviously we will take on board social media comments."