Spate of burglaries as five Sunderland houses targeted in three days

Since Sunday, June 12 there have been five burglaries in Town End Farm, Hylton Castle and Downhill.

The first burglary happened between 2.15am and 2.45am in the early hours of Sunday morning at Kingsclere Square. Car keys and a handbag were stolen.

Between 2pm on Sunday, June 12, and 1pm on Monday, June 13, there was an attempted burglary in Clovelly Road and this morning a burglary was reported in Bodmin Square. A laptop was stolen.

Also, this morning a man was disturbed at around 4am in a garden in Kidderminster Road. He had broken into an outhouse before making off with a drill and bike.

Officers are in the area speaking with local residents as part of inquiries into the burglaries and to offer reassurance and answer concerns the community may have.

Police are also offering burglary prevention advice.

Local Neighbourhood Inspector, Don Wade, said: "We're carrying out enquiries into these burglaries and at the current time it is unclear whether or not it is the same offender. I would ask anyone who does have any information, whether they were in any of the areas that have been affected or think they know who may be responsible to get in come forward and speak to us.

"Extra patrols will be carried out throughout Town End Farm, Hylton Castle and Downhill to reassure our local residents as well as deter any further offences. Our priority is making sure our communities are not victim to these burglars and I would ask people make sure they take simple measures to help prevent them from being targeted. Making sure doors and windows are locked is a good start to prevent burglars."

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to ring Northumbria Police on 101.