News Release
Rural residents urged to be vigilant
Dated: 05 Apr 2011
Police are urging farmers and rural residents to be on their guard following two incidents in the Morpeth area over the weekend.
Between 7.45pm Thursday, March 31, and 6.15am Friday, April 1, thieves broke into a storage container at a farm in the East Coldside area of Morpeth. They stole an electric angle grinder and an amount of fuel before making off.
At around 4am on Sunday, April 3, thieves tried to break into an outbuilding at a farm in the Hartburn area. They were disturbed and fled the scene without taking anything.
Superintendent Mick Pearson of Northumberland Area Command said: "Thieves are travelling around late at night and the early hours of the morning targeting rural farm buildings and properties.
"As part of operation Coin we have officers based on the main arterial routes, as well as the country and minor road, across Northumberland stopping and checking suspicious vehicles and people.
"We need the public to report anything suspicious to us. I'd ask anyone who spots a suspicious vehicle parked at the side of the road, or people acting suspiciously - especially late at night and in the more rural areas, to get in touch with police and report it.
"You aren't wasting our time by passing on this type of information and it could lead to arrests being made and crimes being prevented."
To report any suspicious people, vehicles or behaviour where you live then contact Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or in an emergency ring 999.