The number of house break-ins rose sharply in the final months of last year, official figures reveal today.
The increase is being linked to a "credit crunch crimewave" sparked by the recession.
Recorded crime figures from police forces in England and Wales show a 4% rise in domestic burglaries between October and December.
Statistics from the British Crime Survey show a 25% rise in thefts.
Merseyside Police say local figures are to be released later today.
More later.
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