South Wales Police appeal for vigilance following spate of high-value burglaries

South Wales Police appeal for vigilance following spate of high-value burglaries

Detectives investigating a spate of high-value burglaries across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot are urging residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity as a matter of urgency.

Since last Sunday 14 burglaries have been reported in areas including Sketty, Morriston, Llansamlet, Neath Abbey, Jersey Marine, Gower and Killay.

All are being linked by officers due to the similar ways in which the properties have been targeted.

The majority of the break-ins have occurred in the early evening while the occupants have been out of the property, with the addresses searched for cash and high-value jewellery.

The culprits have been disturbed during a small number of the burglaries, but have escaped on each occasion.

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Woodward said:

“The culprits carrying out these burglaries are brazen and are clearly determined. These recent burglaries have all happened in affluent areas during the evenings when neighbours and other potential witnesses will have still been going about their daily business.

“We are confident that prior to each of these break-ins happening, the suspects will have visited the area to work out out which addresses to target, and I’d appeal to the public to work with us to stop them in their tracks.

“I’d like to hear from anyone not only with information about the burglaries themselves, but who may have seen individuals acting suspiciously, or cars suddenly being driven around their street that they’ve never noticed before.

“I’d also urge people to be wary of cold-callers – if you suspect someone calling at your address – perhaps claiming to be offering goods or services for sale or responding to a fictitious online advert – is suspicious, please report it via 101, or 999 in an emergency.

“Please take note of any descriptions of individuals or vehicles and contact police; the information may seem trivial, but it could prove key to our investigation.”

Anyone with dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone footage which they believe could assist the enquiry is also urged to get in contact.

The suspects are believed to be carrying tools to commit their burglaries and members of the public who may disturb them in action are urged not to approach them but to report immediately via 999.

Officers have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries around the areas where the burglaries have occurred, as well as providing support and reassurance to victims.

Further advice:

Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are a few tips to consider:

·   Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you’re just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors.

·   Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox – a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox.

·   Install a visual burglar alarm – and use it.

·   Install good outside lighting.

·   Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property.

·   Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied.

·   Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition.

·   Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage.

·   Keep ladders and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.

·   Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property.

·   Ensure rear fencing is in good repair.

·   Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property – i.e. trim high hedges.

·   Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise.

·   Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

·   Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows.

·   Store any high value items such as jewellery in a properly secured safe or bank vault.

Ydych chi angen siarad gyda’r heddlu ond nad oes angen ymateb brys arnoch? Ffoniwch 101… Gellir defnyddio’r rhif i roi gwybod am achos nad yw’n un brys i unrhyw heddlu yng Nghymru a Lloegr.

Mewn argyfwng, ffoniwch 999 bob amser.

Do you need to speak to police but don’t require an emergency response? Call 101… The number can be used to report a non-emergency to any force in Wales and England.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Mae Heddlu De Cymru yn croesawu derbyn gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Byddwn yn ateb gohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.

South Wales Police welcomes receiving correspondence in Welsh and English. Any correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will not lead to a delay in responding.