Residents on alert as youths seek to break in to homes

RESIDENTS are urged to be on the lookout after a gang of youths was caught on camera trying to break into properties while residents in a quiet Exeter neighbourhood were sleeping.

The group were seen roaming the streets of Alphington in the early hours. Footage from a house on Creely Close shows one person peering into a doorbell camera and using a hand to cover the lens. A few minutes later the group, of at least four people, are seen running away after being disturbed by a resident.

Locals say it is the latest in a series of incidents in recent months. Some are calling for police to increase patrols. One resident said: “We had visitors trying our handle around 2.30am in Creely Close. Unfortunately this has been happening time and time again in Alphington over the last few months

“We believe they are a gang based in the area or surrounding areas. Believe they are after cars. Entering property to get keys. A few cars in the area have been stolen over the last five months. One was found abandoned in Torquay.”

The video of the incident has been posted on a local Facebook site and locals have left a number of comments, some reporting incidents in nearby streets. One said: “Looks like it could be the same boys that stole our car back in November.”

Another added: “We really need the old fashioned village policeman. Can’t believe with all the extra council tax from the newly built estates there isn’t the money to do it.”

Police said: “Police were notified following reports of an attempted break-in at a property on Creely Close around 3am on Sunday, March 24. A person in the property was able to disturb the suspects who then ran off. A lock was damaged but no access gained. It was also reported that unsuccessful attempts were made to access two other properties in Alphington the same night.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 – or online – quoting reference 50240070399.