Burglars strike in run-up to Christmas (From Southend Standard)
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Burglars strike in run-up to Christmas
12:00pm Friday 16th November 2012 in News
HOUSE burglaries have soared in the run up to Christmas, with 46 break-ins so far this month.
It is expected crooks are targeting homes across Southend to stock up on their presents for the festive season.
The figures for November are higher than last year, when just 40 were reported by this point of the month.
It appears to be a worrying trend as the Echo reported how break-ins suddenly surged in December last year.
Mel Scarlett, 33, of Park Street, Westcliff, was one of the victims targeted.
She said: “Nearly a year later my children are still scared to go upstairs at night on their own so now we’ve got to move. We are actually looking at other properties.
“ It’s that time of year again so I’m worried now that I’m going to be burgled again. It’s sick - why don’t they just go out and get a job like the rest of us?
“The problem is they don’t get sentenced properly, they get let off with community service or a slap on the wrist.”
Mrs Scarlett ‘s business Scarlett Fireplaces, in London Road, Westcliff, was also ransacked for £10,000 of tools just two weeks beforehand.
Insp Brad Dickel, of Leigh police, urged people to be extra careful as the nights draw in.
He said: “Now more than ever with the evenings drawing in and Christmas presents being purchased, I would urge everyone to consider leaving lamps on or fitting fairly inexpensive timers if returning home late from work or consider asking a friend or neighbour to ensue curtains are pulled if going on holiday.
“ Allowing neighbours use of driveways to park cars in the owner’s absence has proven another means of avoiding being targeted.”
He said covert patrols had been stepped up significantly and they were being assisted by other departments within the police.
If you spot any suspicious behaviour call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Comments(14)
Eric Whim
says...
1:04pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Rat Catcher
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1:22pm Fri 16 Nov 12
letsgomad
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2:45pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Olivia2847
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3:27pm Fri 16 Nov 12
perini
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3:40pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Olivia2847
says...
3:41pm Fri 16 Nov 12
perini wrote:I must have missed it - is that the one with Denise van Often on the cover?
After reading the head-line I was half expecting news about a Burglars picket line!!
Brunning999
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3:58pm Fri 16 Nov 12
emcee
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4:06pm Fri 16 Nov 12
reptile
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6:50pm Fri 16 Nov 12
House burglaries are Christmas in reverse, instead of finding what you got for Christmas you look for what you lost.
emcee
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11:06pm Fri 16 Nov 12
The new PCC would do well to remember that.
largo1
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10:52am Sat 17 Nov 12
if you wanna blame someone for the increase in crime then look no further than the big bald demented idiot that is IDS!
Nebs
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10:14pm Sat 17 Nov 12
letsgomad wrote:They know that they will be home in the evening after appearing before the judge. It is a huge growth industry, shame we can't export it.
The problem is very few professional burglars actually get caught regularly. The only ones that get caught are the spur of the moment ones who are just doing it for a quick fix. The ones doing it for a living have got it down to a fine art.
Ian P
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1:04pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Rat Catcher wrote:No they should have turned up Friday evening, as soon as the crime was reported.
Van broken into on a friday night, police turned up tuesday morning. Couldn't take finger prints as it rained on monday. Hopeless. Should have turned up Saturday.
bazza 1 says...
12:24pm Fri 16 Nov 12
......Yeah, right, and they will send someone tomorrow between 8 am and 5 pm to take notes. Until the culprits are treated in a way that reflects their crime, sod all will change. It's a crime that causes massive distress to the victim, but one which the courts deem to consider relatively low down on its scale of seriousness . The sooner we are allowed to shoot the perpetrators, the better.