Children believed to be part of wave of break-ins

CHILDREN are allegedly involved in an “epidemic” of housebreakings and then trying to sell goods on eBay and in pawn shops, according to police.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting after the wave of housebreaking and thefts and were told teams of police are tracking the attempted sale of stolen goods online and in stores.

Police Scotland held the seminar following what officers described as a spike in break-ins in and around Edinburgh over the last six months.

Patrols have been increased and the national helicopter has been based at Edinburgh Airport with regular air support to deter and detect house breakers.

Security equipment was available at the meeting in Newington.

A number of people have been charged in connection with more than 50 alleged crimes.

It is alleged homes where people have been on holiday have been targeted.

Thieves have taken car keys and then used the vehicles in separate ram raids, it is alleged.

Residents were told at the meeting, one of a series across the city, to ask neighbours to pick up mail and make homes look lived-in while on holiday.

Residents were advised to hide car keys and improve perimeter security with lighting and alarm systems.

Victims who disturb housebreakers were warned not to tackle raiders but to make enough noise to let them know people are in the house.

Police said some of the alleged raiders are under 16.

Inspector Graeme Nisbet said: “We take housebreaking extremely seriously but we need your help to try and reduce the se housebreakings.

“We are putting significant resources into prevention and detection of housebreaking.”