‘Now I can sleep again’
SECURITY MEASURES RELIEVE BURGLARY VICTIM’S ANXIETY
A MOTHER-OF-TWO targeted by burglars as her children slept upstairs says the ordeal left her unable to sleep in the dark.
Tanya, an NHS administrative worker who lives in the city centre, was burgled two years ago in the early hours.
The offenders broke in through the back door and stole her son’s mobile phone, a Playstation console and TV.
They even tried to remove her cooker from the wall.
The experience has had a devastating impact on the 34-year-old, who has experienced anxiety for the past two years as a result and still finds it difficult to sleep.
She said: “When I think about what happened with my children asleep in the house I can’t help but think about the worst that could’ve happened.
“I did hear some noises during the night but, because it’s a newbuild, I assumed it was my neighbours moving about. It turns out it wasn’t.
“They got in through the back door and let themselves in and took my milk out of my fridge, which was weird. They took my son’s mobile phone, a Playstation and a TV. They even tried to take the cooker.
“I knocked on my neighbour’s door in the morning and they said they had heard the back gate flapping and thought it seemed strange. It must’ve all happened early morning. They left the light on upstairs and must’ve gone up but seen that we were in, which is really scary.
“My children are now teenagers but we all now make sure we always leave a light on. They’ve not felt safe since it happened and they don’t want to stay at home when I go to the shops. I’ve suffered with anxiety. It has made me feel so nervous.
“I’ve not slept in the dark since. I sleep with my TV on in my bedroom and if I hear a noise I shout to my children straight away and go downstairs to check everywhere is still locked.”
Now, Tanya’s home has been fitted with state-of-the-art security including CCTV cameras, Ring doorbell, window locks, lamp timers and motion-sensor lighting.
It is part of a project, delivered by Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry with Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, and is being paid for by a £432,000 grant.
It will pay for security upgrades at more than 400 homes in the Aboretum and Lenton Triangle areas of Nottingham and free Ring doorbell devices for almost 200 other city properties.
“I am so happy to benefit from this project and be able to sleep in the dark again,” Tanya said.
“Knowing I have a CCTV camera and window security locks, it will make me feel safer and I know it will be the same for my kids too.
“I’ve always told my children never to answer the door but to look through the peep hole. To have a Ring doorbell for when I’m at work and my daughter is off college is amazing.”
Eligible residents are benefitting from a range of security upgrades including window and door locks, window alarms, external PIR lights, external PIR activated CCTV, repairs or security improvements to doors and windows, and where beneficial repairs to gates/ perimeter fencing.
Mrs Henry said: “Hearing the stories of local people like Tanya whose lives have been changed by this project is hugely rewarding for the whole team.
“When we initially set out on the Safer Streets project, we wanted to make a difference and help people grow in confidence again after such dreadful experiences. This is what it is all about and I am delighted we have been able to help people like Tanya feel safe again.
“Our hardworking burglary reduction officers are still looking for people to benefit from this scheme – but for a limited time only. Please don’t hesitate to take up this fantastic opportunity and make life difficult for criminals to strike in your neighbourhood.”
Sergeant Matthew Ward, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “Hearing stories like Tanya’s in which she and her family have been left feeling anxious due to the actions of someone else breaking into their home and safe place is heartbreaking.
“We know that burglary can have a devastating impact both emotionally and financially on victims – not only in the short term but long term as well.
“The Safer Streets initiative is all about making things as difficult as possible for criminals and that is exactly what these measures are all about.
“I am delighted that these security improvements are being made to Tanya’s home and will hopefully make her and her children feel safe again.
“The force already has two dedicated teams of detectives investigating burglary offences and we also have a specialist burglary reduction officer to prevent offences from happening in the first place.”
The project has also paid for a CCTV camera in Bridlington Park Play Area, live-monitored at the city’s CCTV control room.
For Tanya, the project is giving local people their confidence back, particularly those who have suffered at the hands of burglars.
“This new security will make us all feel much more at ease,” she said.
“To feel safe and secure again after what happened is amazing and I cannot thank the team enough.”