Burglary warning on unlocked homes

Police in Rugeley have issued a warning to people to make sure their homes are properly secured.

They fear some homeowners could be leaving their doors open. Officers from the town's neighbourhood policing unit have issued the warning.

It follows a spate of opportunist thefts and burglaries. Now the police have appealed to the public to follow a list of crime prevention advice. On New Year's Day, a criminal sneaked into a house in Park View Terrace and stole a handbag containing money and personal items.

On December 30 between 2pm and 6.45pm a thief stole a handbag containing a purse and mobile phone from a house on Springhill Terrace which had been left unlocked.

A ladies purse was also taken from a house on Daywell Rise at around 6.30pm on December 23 after the thief sneaked inside the house while the owners were inside.

On December 19 a wallet was taken from a house on Aneurin Bevan Place between 7.10pm and 8.15pm.

Rugeley police are investigating possible links between all the thefts and have appealed for any information from the public.

Inspector Chris Ellerton, commander of Rugeley's neighbourhood policing unit said homeowners needed to be vigilant and to keep their homes locked up.

He said: "To ensure the safety of property within people's home we are advising residents in Rugeley to take simple crime prevention advice to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

"When they go out they should always lock the doors and close any windows. If the house has deadlocks, use them.

"When people are at home all the doors and windows in a different area of the house should be secured to deter opportunist thieves."

Inspector Ellerton added: "Don't leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed and put them out of sight in the house.

"Never leave the house key near the door in an obvious place."