Wearside burglars jailed for a total of 12 years

The burglars all committed separate offences in the area and have all, in recent weeks, been given prison sentences.

Richard Quarmby, 36, of no fixed address, was jailed for three-and-a-half years, on July 6, for committing a burglary in Patterdale Street, Hetton, in October last year.John Lamb, 35, of Phoenix Road, Pennywell, perpetrated a two-in-one burglary on the Ford Estate in Sunderland in December last year. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, on June 23. Steven Revell, 36, formerly of Kenilworth Court in Sulgrave, was sentenced to three years and seven months, on June 16, after committing six burglaries in Washington earlier this year.Peter Ronald Innes, 43, of Trinity Square, East End, was convicted of two burglaries at Dunn House in North Bridge Street in Sunderland in May. He was sentenced to two years and four months, on June 17.

Southern Area Command Chief Inspector Jerry Pearson said: "We cannot underestimate the devastating impact being broken into has on victims, particularly when it is their home that has been targeted and it is our priority to make sure these burglars are caught and jailed. "Our work to pursue burglars is relentless and does not stop, day in day out we actively target those we suspect of being responsible for causing harm to our communities and these sentences should send a warning to burglars that we do know how you are, we will catch you and we will make sure you are sent to jail." Operation Impact continues to be carried out across Sunderland and South Tyneside aimed at reducing the number of burglaries across both boroughs.

"The activity is part of the area command's day to day business and as well as pursuing offenders includes helping to prevent further burglaries by making sure local residents have crime prevention advice. Ch Insp Pearson added: "We can't reiterate enough how important it is for people to take a few moments to consider the security of their homes.

"Simply locking doors and making sure windows are not left open when the property is empty can go a long way in helping to prevent the property from being targeted.

"Residents can use other more sophisticated methods - such as burglar alarms and security lighting - but these will not be particularly effective if the front door is left unlocked." For prevention advice visit the Northumbria Police website on www.northumbria.police.uk