Intruders target Tiptree with spate of burglaries (From Gazette)

Intruders target Tiptree with spate of burglaries

3:30pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

BURGLARS are targeting Tiptree with at least five homes raided in the past five weeks.
 

The usually quiet village is experiencing an abnormaly high level of crime.
 

Ward members had complained this could happen after the police presence was reduced in the town and now it seems their worst fears are being realised.
 

Police renewed calls for residents to take responsibility for their homes and remember to lock doors and windows.
 

The first burglary happened on Wednesday, August 8, when thieves entered a house on Walnut Tree Way during the daytime and stole a camera, a quantity of jewellery and cash.
 

Officers did not reveal how they gained access to the home.
 

On Friday, August 17, there was an attempted burglary at a bungalow in Green Lane.
 

Thieves tried to break in just before 6pm.
 

Sometime between Tuesday, August 28 and Wednesday thieves smashed their way through the rear window of a house on Maple Leaf and took a quantity of cash and jewellery.
 

Then during the early hours of Saturday thieves entered a bungalow off Station Road through an open window and took a purse.
 

The fifth was an attempted burglary when thieves attempted to enter a bungalow on Station Road through an open window at 3am the same night.
 

Det Con Andrea Ford said: “There have been quite a few burglaries in and around Tiptree where thieves have been entering properties through insecure doors.
 

“People must lock up properly.
 

“We urge people to close and lock their doors when leaving there premises or before going to bed as opportunist thieves do operate in the area.
 

“Even rear gates to gardens should be secured.
 

“A padlocked gate will often deter a burglar and will certainly make it harder for them to leave with any stolen items if they have broken into house.
 

"We would ask anyone who saw any suspicious, unusual activity in this area during the past few weeks to contact us.”
 

Detectives are investigating the possibility all the crimes are connected,
 

Anyone with information in connection with these burglaries is urged to contact detectives at Colchester police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.