Police urge: Don’t get caught out by burglars
CONSERVATORY doors are being targeted as burglars hit homes in Southport.
Merseyside Police has revealed a string of incidents in which burglars have gained, or attempted to gain, access to houses by breaking locks on conservatories. The force is now urging anyone aware of similar activity to pass on their information.
It comes after burglars attempted to break into a home on Bispham Road last month, before more homes across Southport, Ainsdale and Formby were all hit on the same night just three days later.
On Saturday, October 20, between 00.30 and 7.30am, officers received a report of an offender attempting to gain entry to the Bispham Road property. The offender had attempted to gain entry to the property by snapping the lock on a conservatory door but it did not manage to gain entry.
A similar report was received at 1.30pm the following Tuesday from a property in Portland Street where, again, someone had gained entry to the property via the rear patio doors.
On this occasion, the suspect had managed to break in before stealing items from the address.
The same day, two further reports of burglary in the Ainsdale and Formby were made. Just after 2am, it was reported that someone had tried to gain access to a house on Liverpool Road by forcing the lock on the conservatory door. The offender was believed to have fled the scene after being disturbed by the house alarm. A little over an hour later, the force received a call from the occupants of a house on Greenloons Drive, Formby. The home owner reported that she’d been woken by the house alarm and upon checking the house, she noticed that the back door had been damaged and was insecure. A police dog handler attended to search the area, but the offender had made their escape.
Sgt Ian Allum said: “I would like to reassure the public in Southport that we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry in relation to these incidents and doing everything in our power to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Thankfully, on all occasions, no-one was hurt. However, the victims have been left feeling insecure in their own homes.
“All residents across Merseyside have a right to feel comfortable and safe in their communities, homes and places of work and for this to be taken away, is really upsetting. We’d urge anyone who has also been a victim of a similar crime, may have seen someone acting suspiciously or has any information that could help with our investigations, however small it may seem, to get in contact as this could prove vital and prevent further offences.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @ MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. Alternatively, by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.