Police urge locals to keep homes and valuables secure following spate of burglaries (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Police urge locals to keep homes and valuables secure following spate of burglaries

3:31pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News

POLICE are urging locals to lock doors and windows, after a spate of burglaries at insecure homes netted thieves almost £1,400.

Three incidents took place over the weekend in Ulverston and Barrow, after thieves gained entry through unlocked doors.

Officers say that sometimes between 8pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday, a property on Lime Tree Road in Ulverston was targeted.

The culprit, or culprits, made off with a shopping bag and its contents, with a combined value of around £75.

A home on Glasgow Street, Barrow, was burgled sometime overnight between Friday and Saturday and a house on Parade Street, Barrow, was entered by an offender or offenders between 12.15am and 10.15am on Saturday.

Another £1,300 worth of items were stolen from the two homes.

DS Brian Murray, investigating the crimes, said: “These offences aren’t necessarily linked but they do share a common trait in that doors were left insecure.

“Each home that was burgled in this short time frame was targeted because the offender(s) had easy access to goods that were valuable but easy to snatch – it’s likely each burglary took just a few minutes.

“It is vitally important that residents listen to important crime prevention advice. Doing something as simple as locking your doors and windows can help to stop the worry, distress and inconvenience of becoming a victim of crime.

“Knowing that someone has been in your home is horrible. It is unnerving and often makes residents feel very uncomfortable in their own homes.

“Please take time to check your home security and if you’re unsure of anything, contact us and ask for advice.

"Getting into the habit of checking your doors and windows are locked could really help us keep you and your property safe.”

Police have also offered crime prevention advice, which includes locking doors and windows, keeping side gates and sheds locked, keeping cash and valuables hidden, postcoding valuables with an ultra-violet pen and leaving a light on and curtains drawn if nobody is home at night.

More information about home security can be gained from the local policing team, on 101.

Anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity around Glasgow Street, Parade Street or Lime Tree Road on Friday night or Saturday morning is asked to contact DC Brian Murray in Barrow CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.