Police warn Chester residents of burglaries after suburbs are targeted

Dec 31 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

POLICE in Upton and Newton are urging residents once again to keep their homes secure in the evenings to avoid becoming victims of crime.

In the last week, police have received reports about burglaries or attempted burglaries in the Dixon Drive, Rosewood Avenue, Cross Green and Plas Newton Lane areas of the city.

The majority of recent burglaries have been sneak-in thefts where offenders get into a home through an unlocked door or window and steal small portable items such as jewellery, lap tops, handbags and money. These crimes are being committed in the early evening, often when the residents are in another room.

PC Andrew Brand of the Upton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It is so easy to forget about security once you are inside your home, but unfortunately a small number of people do target insecure homes. It only takes a few moments to sneak into a home and steal valuables – even if the resident is just in the next room.

“I would urge residents to make life as difficult as possible for thieves and save themselves a lot of heartache by making sure all doors and windows are locked, especially in the evenings.

“One of the victims of the recent burglaries had Christmas presents stolen, which was very distressing and upsetting for them just before Christmas.”

PC Brand and PCSO Matthew Browell will be visiting residents in the area delivering leaflets and talking to people about security.

To contact your local Neighbourhood Policing team, call 0845 458 6375 or email chester.outer.npt@cheshire.pnn.police.uk