Residents warned to be more security conscious after spate of burglaries
HOMEOWNERS are being urged to watch out following a number of burglaries in the Southport and Formby area.
Merseyside Police warning residents to ensure their property is locked and valuables are kept out of sight after nine incidents were recorded across Ainsdale and Formby.
In two incidents the properties were left insecure and in three other incidents house and car keys were left on view. One vehicle was taken as a result.
Burglaries took place in the following locations:
Salford Road, Thirlmere Drive and Leamington Road in Ainsdale.
Sealand Avenue, Flaxfield Road, Vicarage Road (2), Massams Lane and Buckfast Drive in Formby.
Residents are also urged to beware that leaving doors or windows unlocked can affect insurance claims.
Margaret Jepson, Sefton Crime Alert Co-ordinator, said: “Residents are constantly reminded to ensure windows and doors are locked. Insurance companies differ in their approach to claims but most will not pay out if there is a burglary and the occupier has not secured the property.
“In Sefton, a couple of years ago, a burglar gained entry into a house by taking out the whole window frame. The insurance assessor called at the house and asked the householder if he could see the discarded frame to check if the window was locked.
“The astonished householder stated that the burglar had taken out the whole window and frame to gain entry to the property. That was not good enough for the assessor, he had to see the frame for himself to see if the window was locked before he would even consider processing the claim.”
“Take precautions - lock it or lost it.”