Burglary warning as break-ins rise (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Burglary warning as break-ins rise in Whitton

7:30am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By Amy Dyduch

Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) are warning people to be extra vigilant after a spate of burglaries in Heathfield and Whitton.

Police Sergeant Mark Woodward, of the Whitton and Heathfield SNT, said burglary was the most prevalent crime in the area at the moment.

In crime prevention advice issued to neighbourhood watch teams, he said: “Residents living on end terraces, next to junctions with other streets, or with alleyway access to the side or rear of their premises should take particular note as they have been more vulnerable when looking at recent crime trends.

“The most common method of entering properties at the moment appears to be by forcing windows from the rear, having scaled fences.”

He warned homeowners to be wary of people on roofs and to call 999 if they spot suspicious people loitering near rear entrances to properties.

Most of this type of crime is committed by people travelling together in groups in vans or cars.

PS Woodward said: “If possible please try to write down the vehicle registration of any unusual vehicles parked nearby if they are suspicious along with the make and model.”

People can make it difficult for a burglar to break in by locking their doors and hiding the key from sight as well as leaving timer lights on, installing alarms and keeping photographs of valuables.

Property can be registered on the free secure online database, Immobilise.com, so if police recover stolen items they can return them.

For further crime prevention advice, visit content.met.police.uk/Site/crimepreventionbumblebee.