News
Lock your doors!
Dated: 29 Oct 2012
Sneak-in thieves in Newcastle are being given early Christmas presents thanks to unlocked doors.
Four households in the town were victims of burglaries over the weekend and officers are urging residents to keep doors and windows locked - even when they are in the property.
The first offence took place around 8.45pm on Saturday October 27 when a burglar walked into a home on Craikmillar Avenue in Blakelaw. He was confronted as he walked through the door by the householder and ran off.
On Sunday October 28 between 8pm and 10.30pm a burglar again walked into a home through an unlocked door, this time on Crossway Court in Kenton, and stole a handbag.
At 10.45pm on the same night a resident disturbed a burglar in her home on Coldingham Gardens in Cowgate. He had got in through an unlocked kitchen door and was in the process of stealing her handbag when he was disturbed and ran off.
The final burglary took place between 8pm and 11pm that night at a home on Druridge Drive, Cowgate. The burglar got in through an unlocked back door and stolen a number of items, including a mobile phone, cash and a handbag.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Chris Patten said: "We are asking residents not to give thieves the opportunity to break into homes through open doors or windows.
"Please ensure your windows and doors are securely locked and that you avoid leaving valuables where they can be seen through windows.
"A break-in can cause misery and inconvenience, but taking simple precautions like locking doors and windows you can avoid this."
Anyone with information about these offences is asked to contact officers in Newcastle on the 101 non-emergency number, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers may offer a reward for information which leads to an arrest and charge.