Shed theft tools used for burglary

Detectives are urging residents to take more care following a wave of shed burglaries in the seven days to January 14.

Inspector Nick Butler said: “We are seeing a trend where burglars are targeting both sheds and dwellings.

“In some cases tools from the sheds are being used to gain entry to the houses.

“Please check the security of your sheds and if possible make sure tools etc. are locked away within the shed.

“If your property is unoccupied in the evenings or overnight leave a light on, preferably one down stairs and a second in a bedroom, each controlled by a timer switch.”

Jewellery and electronic goods were among the items stolen from a house on Wighay Road, after thieves forced a side window sometime between 11.30am and 6.45pm on Thursday, January 7. A shed and a outhouse were also broken into.

On the same day at 11pm two sheds on Beardsmore Grove were broken into and a tool from one was used to smash the glass in the rear door to enter the house. The intruder was disturbed by the occupant and fled, and nothing was taken.

A walnut chess table and antique chess pieces were among the items taken from an unlocked shed on Beardsmore Grove. The break-in happened sometime between 5pm on Tuesday, January 5, and 5.30am on Thursday, January 7.

Between 6.40pm on Friday January 8 and 9.50am the next day, the rear door of a house on Ward Avenue was smashed and a garden shed was also broken into, but the intruder was disturbed by a dog.