Daily Dispatch

Get serious about break-ins

ASPATE of break-ins has been reported in the East London area over the past few weeks. In many cases it seems that the criminals were experienced and knew exactly how to manipulate the alarm systems.

The burglaries were mostly clean jobs and luxury goods like jewellery and personal computers were the items of choice.

Yesterday we reported that four burglaries had taken place in Lower Ridge Road, Bonnie Doon since January 27.

Gonubie has also been a target, with no less than five intrusions reported recently.

Just last month the neighbours of the late Marlene Cairns, 75, were attacked in their 12th Avenue house. Cairns was fatally stabbed in the neck by two intruders in January and her husband Neil, 77, was repeatedly stabbed in the upper body as he tried to defend his injured wife. Cairns’ killers have not been apprehended.

Fortunately most of the burglaries have been when the occupants were not at home.

What is notable, however, is that in many cases the modus operandi appears to have been the same, or very similar.

The criminals break in through the bathroom (which usually does not have an alarm sensor), then dig a hole through the ceiling and go into the roof. Then they follow the wiring to above the main bedroom where the control panel and battery usually is. They make another hole in the ceiling, come down into the closet and disconnect the alarm.

The police response to many of these cases has been the same: they are treating them as unrelated criminal activities.

Of course nobody, ourselves included, should be alarmist and raise unnecessary panic. But this newspaper is being contacted on a daily basis with reports of similar burglaries.

Surely these are not simply the work of runof-the-mill burglars?

Certainly, it appears that these are wellorchestrated home invasions by people who know what they are doing.

Already security companies in East London have warned of a hi-tech burglary gang on the loose, its members travelling around in luxury cars that make them difficult to detect.

Two reputable private security companies – Hartwig & Henderson and Red Alert – agree on this. Granted, security companies have a vested interest in such a matter and their claims cannot be taken as gospel.

But anecdotal evidence from many homeowners given to our reporters points to the same pattern.

It is high time the police take the likelihood of a gang or gangs being on the prowl in our city streets more seriously.

This is not to say police must prioritise the suburbs over other areas. Crime affects everyone and statistics show that the poor suffers more than anyone. But nor can the police be nonchalant about the suburbs.

This spate of burglaries must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. The police should work with the security companies. Professional egos must be set aside – the safety and security of the community is at stake.

Obviously residents too, must be more vigilant and ensure they take all necessary precautions. But the blanket denial by police of the possibility of a gang being at work is becoming less and less believable, even increasingly ludicrous.