Spate of break-ins in town centre

Over the past week, calls to the police have been much higher than normal and much of this is a result of the poor weather conditions.

Roads have been flooded, diversions put in place and premises have been affected. Numerous road accidents have occurred and police have responded to additional requests from the public to assist with their personal issues. There were nearly 500 calls to police in your local area just over the weekend to give you an idea of the numbers. Hopefully we have all seen the back of the poor weather and everything can now start to dry out and return to normality.

There have been a number of break-ins reported too. Between 9pm and 10pm on August 6, an adult male was seen trying to force open the front door of a house in Thistle Crescent, Larkhall. He didn’t get in as he was disturbed by a concerned neighbour. PC Weir of Larkhall police is dealing with this enquiry.

Between 10.30am and 11.30am on August 8, a house on Fairholm Street, Larkhall, was broken into and a quantity of clothing was stolen. PC Lowrie of Larkhall police is dealing with this enquiry.

Overnight into August 11 an attempt was made to break into a house in Gillbank Lane, Larkhall. Fortunately nothing appears stolen.

And overnight into August 8, a breakin occurred at a house on Hareleeshill Road, Larkhall, and it appears a small fire had been started and extinguished on the step at the rear of the property.

In Hamilton, at 1.30am on August 12, the alarm was activated at Homebase, Hamilton Palace Grounds, as a window had been smashed on the premises. Fortunately it appears that nothing has been stolen. PC Watson of Hamilton police is dealing with this enquiry.

Near 10pm on August 10, a house in Ambleside Rise, Hamilton, was broken into. The house alarm was activated at this time and the neighbour, on checking the property, noticed the break-in. PC Clark of Hamilton Police is dealing with this enquiry.

The card shop on Duke Street, Hamilton, was broken into between Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11, and a quantity of cash was stolen. Town centre CCTV is being reviewed and PC Watson of Hamilton police is dealing with this enquiry.

Going back to Homebase, a Motherwell man has been arrested by police in Strathclyde Park after he allegedly stole items from the store on August 1.

Most of the break-ins have been committed when the weather was at its worst with heavy rain. One of the crimes actually involved the suspect turning on the rear garden outside tap to disguise the noise caused by smashing a window. Housebreakers will use all means possible to avoid detection and it has been clear this week that they have used the weather to their advantage.

If anyone has information, call 101 and ask for a message to be left for the officers mentioned above.