Increase in thefts across the area
We have had a recent increase in thefts from across the subdivision and we are looking for your assistance in relation to helping catch the people responsible.
With this increase, I would urge everyone to ensure that your property is safe and here is some basic advice in relation to this.
Many thieves are actually opportunists who do not have to break in at all because a door or window has been left open or unlocked. Keep your home securely locked at all times.
Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks, under mats or anywhere else an intruder may easily find them.
Don’t put your name or room number on your keyring if you live in shared accommodation. If it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them to your home and your property.
Don’t keep house keys and car keys on the same key ring.
Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in the house. If you must, then disperse it in various locations.
Security mark your property with a UV marker pen. You can use this pen to place an invisible imprint of your postcode and house number on your possessions.
In terms of the recent crimes, overnight on April 18 into April 19 a suspect entered a property at Campbell Crescent, Bothwell and stole a number of items.
Also, between April 21 and April 24 a white Ford Transit was stolen from Bankfield Drive, Hamilton.
At 2.15am on April 24 a householder at Clydesdale Avenue, Hamilton, disturbed a male in her home. He is described as having a heavy build and was wearing dark clothing.
On the same day at 3.55am, a householder at Fleming Way, Hamilton, reported someone trying a door handle. These crimes are not isolated to a particular area and last week we had property stolen from number of cars in Ferniegair.
On a positive note, on Monday morning we arrested a 21-year-old man in connection to an alleged number of thefts from the Hamilton area and recovered a number of items of property.
I am also appealing for information after a cyclist was knocked off his bike and the driver of the vehicle did not stop. It happened about 8.50am on April 20, with the cyclist travelling on the B7078 from Canderside Toll towards Larkhall. He was then overtaken by a small red hatchback vehicle, and the car clipped his bike, causing him to fall off on the roadway to his injury.
On that theme, you may have observed that our colleagues in Edinburgh have started an initiative where plain clothes officers on pedal cycles with bike-mounted cameras advise colleagues when they are passed too closely by drivers, who are then pulled over and given advice. The drivers stand on a specially-designed mat which allows officers to show them how closely they passed the bicycle.
If you have any information you feel should be reported, contact the police using 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.