In recent years, Barnsley, South Yorkshire has seen a significant increase in burglary cases. These crimes not only cause financial loss but also inflict emotional trauma on the victims. Unfortunately, the current penalties for convicted burglars do not seem to be effective enough to deter these criminal activities. We believe that harsher penalties and a better system will serve as a stronger deterrent and help reduce burglary rates in our community.

Burglary is not just a property crime; it's an invasion of our homes and personal spaces. It leaves victims feeling violated and unsafe in their own homes. Yet, the current legal consequences do not reflect the gravity of this crime.

Judges recently told: Don't jail burglars - it's a 'less serious' offence. Even when sentences are given out only one quarter of the sentence is carried out. In addition to this the Capacity Crisis in Prisons is also seeing an increase in releases from as early as 60 days to 6 months due to overcrowding. The system needs to change and fast.  Whether this be building more prisons or something else but under no circumstances should releasing happen before the designated timeframe as this puts the public at risk.

In early March, a family in Barnsley, UK suffered a devastating burglary. Among the stolen items was a wedding ring that spanned over six decades of unbroken love. This incident is not isolated; it is part of an alarming trend of burglaries across the country.

In England and Wales, burglary offences have seen an increase over recent years with 423,000 reported cases from 2019-2020 (source: Office for National Statistics). Despite this high number, many burglars receive lenient sentences or even avoid jail time entirely.

We believe that implementing a minimum 3 year sentence for convicted burglars would serve as a stronger deterrent, whilst multiple offenders well known to police authorities should receive 5 year sentences. All of which should be carried to full term. 

We call upon South Yorkshire Police, the local government and law enforcement agencies of the UK to implement stronger measures for preventing these crimes. Preventions could include increased police patrols in high risk areas, improved street lighting for better visibility at night, and community awareness programmes about home security measures. By doing this, we can send a clear message that such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Please sign this petition if you agree that convicted burglars should face more harsher penalties. Your signature can make a difference - Let’s make the difference.