THERE are calls for urgent action to help police crack down on burglaries as the latest figures for Gloucestershire show more than 2,000 cases did not result in a charge last year.

There were 223,194 burglaries reported in England and Wales last year with 13,936 resulting in someone being charged.

In Gloucestershire there a 3.7 per cent charge/summons rate while in 69 per cent of cases the police failed to identify a suspect, according to Home Office data analysed by the Liberal Democrats.

They say the data shows that 96.3 per cent of the 2,182 burglary cases reported in the county last year result in the criminal getting away scot-free.

County councillor Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach) is demanding an urgent restoration of neighbourhood police funding.

He has called for emergency legislation to ensure burglaries are properly investigated.

The government says police funding is at a historic high of £18.5 billion this year.

But Cllr Hodgkinson said it is unacceptable that families and businesses are being left at risk as the vast majority of burglaries go unsolved.

“I know that people are very worried when they see burglaries in their area,” he said.

“The government has been asleep at the wheel, a persistent lack of support for community policing has left our streets vulnerable.

“In 96 per cent of burglary cases, the victims never see someone charged – that has to change. “Gloucestershire’s police works tirelessly but they require the proper resources and mandate from central government to ensure every single case is rigorously investigated.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Chris Nelson said he asked for and received a guarantee from the constabulary last year that officers will attend the scene of every house burglary.

“More needs to be done to drive up positive outcomes on these offences, and I know that the Constabulary’s specialist neighbourhood support teams target these offenders to bring them to justice,” he said.

Gloucestershire Police say the 3.7 per cent figure is for charge outcome for all burglaries in 2025 including crimes that are still open and for which investigations are ongoing.

The charge outcome on all crimes that have been closed raises the figure to 6.3 per cent.

The solved rate, which would then include cases taken into consideration, raises the percentage to 8.2.

A police spokesperson said: “We’re committed to improving our charge rate and when evidence is available, such as CCTV and other forensic opportunities, we will look to prosecute. We continue to do all we can to bring those responsible before the courts.

“Burglary is often an opportunistic crime, and as the autumn months and darker nights approach, for better protection from the crime we’d encourage people to consider installing a combination of security devices.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: ““Police force funding this year is at a historic high of £18.5 billion, with Gloucestershire Constabulary receiving a cash increase of 4.7 per cent.”

More information on ways to help people protect their home can be found on the constabulary’s website.