Crackdown after massive spike in burglaries

A police crackdown has been launched on burglars targeting businesses, homes, sheds and garages in a Sunderland community, the force has said.

Northumbria Police officers saw a ‘massive spike’ in offences targeting homes and businesses in Houghton before and and after Christmas.

But after launching a crackdown on the issue, they are hoping a recent slump in reported incidents would continue.

“We had a massive spike around and just after Christmas, centred predominantly around the Gravel Walks estate and business premises in Newbottle Street,” said Inspector Nick Gjorven.

“We believe that the people doing the house burglaries in and around the Gravel Walks estate and the sheds are the very same people doing the commercial burglaries.” Insp Gjorven, of Northumbria Police, was speaking at a meeting of Sunderland City Council’s Coalfield Area Committee, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

According to a report for the panel, there have been a combined total of 378 commercial and residential burglaries so far this year (2020/21), 17 fewer than at the same point last year.

This also warned garages and sheds are being targeted, with offenders accessing them when they have been left unlocked overnight.

Insp Gjorven added that hairdressers and working men’s clubs had also been in the sights of potential burglars.

Both are examples of businesses which have been forced into long shutdowns due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.