19 HOMES are burgled every day in Essex but numbers are dropping.

In the past 12 months there were 6,792 homes raided.

This is down by more than 750 on the previous year thanks in part to a new operation which could eventually stop thousands of people becoming victims.

Operation Insight uses predictive policing to combat house burglaries.

Officers use intelligence to identify where future burglaries are most likely to occur and then use a range of tactics to prevent this from happening.

These include patrols in higher risk areas and visiting homes close to burgled houses to offer advice and stop burglars targeting several in an area at the same time.

Chief Supt Carl O’Malley said: "These results are down to a combination of predictive policing and the hard work of our officers.

"Using intelligence, we can target our resources to areas that could be at higher risk of burglaries, helping us to deter offenders and provide reassurance to residents.

"Burglaries are distressing for the victims and can also be linked to other types of offending, and we are determined to continue driving down these offences and bring those responsible to justice.”

The force is also urging residents to do more to prevent them becoming victims.

Advice includes: Lock doors and windows to prevent the one third of burglaries at insecure homes, lock up your garden tools to prevent your own belongings being used to break into your own homes, set light timers, get an alarm and visit http://www.essex.police.uk/be_safe/burglary.aspx for more tips.