Warning as crimewave prompts police concern
A NUMBER of burglaries, thefts and scams has prompted Merseyside police to warn residents of Southport, Formby and Ainsdale – and appeal for information.
Burglaries have taken place between February 2 and February 16 in Barrett Road, Dunbar Crescent, Marshside Road, Walnut Street, Linaker Street, Milton Street, and Glaisdale Drive, with two in Oxford Road and Graburn Road in Formby, Stourton Road in Ainsdale and at sheds in Vale Crescent and Portland Street.
Four sets of car keys were stolen and vehicles taken.
Police urged people to keep an eye on their bags as there have been a few incidents in Southport town centre, where purses have been taken from handbags.
Two Sefton residents also received two similar phone calls: one supposedly from her medical centre and the other from a medical study group.
At first, the callers seemed very professional and genuinely concerned to find out if the residents were feeling well.
One person realised the call was not from her medical centre and after finding out the caller was doing a survey, she ended the call.
The second resident was asked questions such as: “How old are you? Do you live alone? Have you any alarm systems? Do you look after your own affairs or does someone else have the Power of Attorney?”
Police warned that callers can glean a lot of information about a person from these calls, so be prepared to avoid becoming prey to this type of phishing tactics.
Police are still appealing for information after two teenagers were robbed of their bikes at knifepoint in Southport on Friday February 7.
The incident happened at about 8pm, in King’s Gardens, when they were approached by two males, one of whom was carrying a knife.
Demands were made for their bikes, and the girl was punched in the leg, before the offenders rode off on the bikes in the direction of Morrison’s supermarket.
The offenders were described as wearing masks and worker or combat pants.
The bikes were a silver Boardman MHT 8.8 Eagle mountain bike with a distinctive mudguard, and a grey/orange Voodoo Bantu mountain bike. CCTV and witness inquiries are continuing.
Det Insp Catherine Walsh said: “Thankfully neither of the victims were seriously hurt, but to be threatened with a knife and assaulted is an extremely distressing experience and we are working closely with the victims and local community to find those responsible.”