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New police warnings after burglary spree

by Amy Glendinning
9/ 4/2008

THIEVES targeting houses with unlocked windows and patio doors made off with mobile phones and cash in a spate of burglaries over the weekend.

Between Friday evening and Monday morning burglars gained access to four houses through windows and patio doors which were left unlocked or open.

On Friday evening between 7pm and 11pm intruders unsuccessfully attempted to enter a house on Ashworth Street by trying to force open the front door and then patio doors, causing £1,500 worth of damage.

In the early hours of Saturday morning thieves then struck at a house on Clifton Close after gaining access through a kitchen window which had been left open.

After stealing a mobile phone, the thieves left the house through the back door, which had had the keys left in the lock on the inside.

Between 8.30am and 6.45pm on Saturday thieves entered a property on Brunswick Street through an unsecured downstairs window and were able to make off with £2,500 in cash.

Between 12.30pm and 6.15am on Monday thieves entered a house on Winchester Drive, again through patio doors and stole money from a handbag.

A house in Gloucester Avenue was also targeted between 11pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday, after thieves spotted an open window and were able to enter the house and make off with a handbag.

On Friday 28 March thieves also gained entry to a house by completely removing the patio doors of a house on Avon Road, where they stole a mobile phone.

A police spokesperson said: "One in three burglaries happen when doors and windows are left open or unlocked, even when you are at home.

"To deter burglars, police recommend that all external doors and windows are kept locked and that homes are protected by an activated alarm and sensor lights."

Police are issuing the following tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of burglary:

  • Install an alarm and make sure it’s activated when you leave your home empty and before you go to bed at night.

  • Make sure your home looks occupied when you leave it empty: leave a light on and set timer switches to turn lamps and radios on and off.

  • Install sensor lights that switch on automatically when movement is detected around your property.

  • Do not leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door – burglars know all the hiding places.

  • Store keys away from the front door and out of sight.

  • Do not leave doors and windows open or unlocked.

  • Fit a five-lever mortise lock on the front and back doors.

  • Fit window locks on ground floor windows or upper floor windows that can be reached easily.

  • Do not leave gates, sheds and garages open or unlocked.

  • Lock all tools and ladders away securely.

  • Ensure your house number is clearly visible from the street, so when police get reports of a burglary they can find your home quickly and are more likely to catch offenders.

  • Join or set up a Home Watch scheme.


  • | Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(1)


    Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

       Despite the possibility of the need for a knee replacement, our MP still appears capable of placing the original in the groin of his electorate. For sheer gall, I am convinced nothing can trump this weeks “Dobbyblog” where he says “we know that people want more say about their community and a police force that is visible, responsive and deals with local problems. That’s why from this month you will have a dedicated neighbourhood police team in your area. Bobbies on the beat in our streets make us feel safer and neighbourhood police teams will provide local policing based around your priorities. The police teams should be easy to contact because local police forces will publish their details such as names and phone numbers so they can easily hear from local people and get to know their neighbourhoods. The aim is to create a new style of policing to address local priorities and improve public confidence. I just ask you to be patient and let the new scheme settle in.” Labour’s pledge to get tough on law and order is little more than a sham. It has been for many years. It is now a sad fact of life that when dusk descends, groups of criminals rule the roost; law abiding citizens bolt their doors - look only at the police suggestions in this article. For over a decade Labour have done their utmost to ensure that we believe criminals are victims of society. The soft sentences, and poor conviction rates, not only leave the victims of crime feeling cheated, they put all law abiding citizens at risk. The majority of UK citizens do not want to see offenders let off with a slap on the wrist or given a fine that half of them do not pay. They want to see real justice involving offenders being prosecuted, punished and re-habilitated. A cursory glance at daily newspaper headlines reflects Labours deepening reputation for being soft on crime while those who really threaten our society are treated with absurd leniency. I suspect far from demonstrating great wisdom, the “Dobbyblog” this week has drawn attention to his partys failings by outlining Labours revised views on policing long after they had the chance to change things.
    A Bywaters, Heywood
    12/04/2008 at 16:17
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