Burglars Target Flats Evacuated After Fire

9 June 2011, 10:18 | Updated: 9 June 2011, 12:33

Police are appealing for witnesses after a block of flats which had to be evacuated last week because of a fire were targeted by burglars.

The burglars have come back on more than one occasion and broken into flats at Spitfire Court, Mitchell Close, Southampton. They took various items from the flats including jewellery and TVs.

Many of the residents have only discovered the break-ins after visiting their flats as they are not currently living there following the blaze. At least 8 of the 14 flats have been targeted.

Burglars also broke into the Doctors Surgery over night between around 6.30pm on June 7 and around 7.30am on Wednesday June 8. They broke in through a rear door and stole a small amount of money from a cash box. All the other burglaries happened between Sunday, June 5 and Tuesday June 7.

Detective Sergeant Will Whale is leading the investigation he said: “These burglars have taken advantage of the fact the residents have been made homeless by the fire on Saturday (June 4) to callously burglar their homes. It’s a bad enough time for the residents without this happening too.

“We want to catch those responsible as soon as possible. As we know they have come back on more than one occasion we are sure someone will have seen them.

“I’m asking anyone who saw or heard anything unusual in the area in the last few days especially at night to get in touch.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they may have been offered some of the property taken for sale. 

“These burglars need to be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible and this kind of information could help us immensely.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Priority Crime Unit at Southampton Central Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.