Burglaries on rise in Stevenage

30 December 2010, 15:24 | Updated: 30 December 2010, 15:26

Police are asking residents to be vigilant after a spate of break-ins in the Broadwater area of Stevenage.

There have been a total of nine offences in the area since the beginning of November – but the majority of the offences happened in December.

Detective Inspector Gary Atkinson from Stevenage Local Crime Unit said: “We do believe these burglaries to be linked.

“In the majority of cases, the suspects appear to have gained entry by breaking glass at the rear of residential properties. We are asking all residents to ring 999 immediately if they see someone acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood – or if they see or hear something strange coming from a neighbour’s property.

“We would also like to know if you have been offered property in suspicious circumstances – has someone offered you goods on the cheap?

“If you have any information, please get in touch via the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222. You can also ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Remember, if a crime is in progress, always ring 999.”

The latest incident occurred between 6.45pm and 7.05pm on Monday, December 27, at a property in Parkway, Stevenage. The suspect was briefly seen running out of the front door and it was subsequently discovered that a Nintendo console and games were missing.

Between Christmas Eve and December 27, a property in Broad Oak Way, Stevenage, was broken into after offenders smashed a pane of glass in the rear UPVC door. The ground floor has been searched but it does not appear that any property was taken.

Between December 23 and December 28, another property in Broad Oak Way was accessed in a similar way after a pane of glass was smashed in the rear door. An X Box, Nintendo Wii, a quantity of games, a Canon camera, a Technika camera and a credit card were stolen.

Overnight between December 22 and December 23, at Nodes Drive, Stevenage, offenders have broken into a property by removing a pane of glass from a downstairs side window. A Sony Camera, a Playstation, Sony PSP, mobile phone charger and DVDs were taken.

Between December 16 and 18, at Roebuck Gate, Stevenage, offenders have broken in after removing a pane of glass in a rear door. A Sony camera and Raymond Weil wristwatch were stolen.

Between December 9 and December 12, offenders have attempted to break into a property in Nodes Drive, Stevenage. They have climbed into the rear garden and broke a pane of glass in a conservatory but did not gain entry.

Between 1.30pm and 9.25pm on December 4, offenders have broken into a property in Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage, after smashing a window in a rear door. They have stolen a quantity of jewellery and coins.
 
On November 28, offenders have attempted to break into a property in St Margaret’s in Stevenage. They have broken a pane of glass in a rear door but have not gained entry.

Overnight between November 6 and 7, offenders have smashed glass in a rear patio door of a property in The Chace, Stevenage. They have stolen a 32 inch LG flatscreen television, a black ladies watch and a pair of spectacles.