Burglar foiled in bid to steal Christmas charity boxes for the elderly

A HUNT is under way to find a burglar who attempted to break into a property which was storing charity boxes for elderly people.

Police were called to Meadow Court in Kilburn after someone climbed into a house through a window yesterday.

The person was only stopped when the owner, who was asleep on his sofa, woke up and scared the potential thief away.

The Kilburn and Denby Neighbourhood Watch says it thinks the burglar could have been attempting to steal donations for its charity Christmas appeal.

Inside the home were shoeboxes filled with items and gifts which are set to be given to elderly people over the festive period. These have since been moved to a different location.

A spokesperson for Kilburn and Denby Neighbourhood Watch said: “Having spoke to the police it’s a possibility and there wasn’t any other apparent motive.

“They were being stored in a coordinator’s home so it is possible that someone has seen folks delivering the boxes to the address.

“Hopefully someone will have information as police enquiries have been unsuccessful due to a lack of physical evidence.”

The spokesperson said they hoped the burglar would step forward.

“We understand that these are very difficult times and that people are struggling to make ends meet but trying to steal from our team is not the answer,” they said.

“We would however like them to come forwards in confidence not so they can be punished but so that we can put them in our list for a gift and also to see if they too could do with some support from outside agencies.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed the force was investigating the incident.

They said: “We are investigating a report that at around 4.40am on November 18, a man was asleep on the sofa of his home in Meadow Court, Kilburn when he awoke to find a man coming in through the window. The man, upon seeing the victim, climbed back out of the window and left.

“Kilburn is typically a safe part of the county but we would urge residents to think about their home security and make sure windows and doors are locked at night.

“Witnesses or anyone with information should contact us quoting reference 20000610723.”

Police can be contacted on the non-emergency 101 number, through their social media channels or through their website at www. derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us