Police are appealing for information and urging residents to be vigilant following a spate of ‘non-dwelling burglaries’.
Since the start of the year, there have been approximately 100 incidents reported in the Marlborough and Pewsey areas.
Offenders are targeting outbuildings, sheds and containers, with garden machinery, tools and quads being stolen.
In one incident, on a farm at Southgrove on March 9, thieves even stole CCTV equipment.
Among the thieves’ haul are:
- A Ferrari racing seat, stolen from a garage in North Newnton on January 10.
- A quad bike and trailer, stolen from stables in Ogbourne St George on January 27.
- Two bikes, stolen from a shed in South Street, Aldbourne on February 27.
- A mower, stolen from a container at a farm in Mildenhall on March 17.
- Four jerry cans of fuel, stolen from an address in Newtown, Ramsbury on March 24.
- A boiler from a development site in Salisbury Road on April 7.
- Garden machinery, power tools and fishing equipment from a shed in Long Drove Burbage on April 10.
- An orange mountain bike, stolen from a shed in London Road, Marlborough, on April 17.
- Copper piping, drills, an angle grinder and cables, taken from a garage in Upper Churchfields, Marlborough, on April 21.
Sergeant Clare Wallace from the Marlborough and Pewsey Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a spate of non dwelling burglaries, with the east side of Marlborough and Burbage being heavily targeted.
“We have increased patrols in the area and enquiries are continuing into each incident. However, we need people in the community to come forward with information so that we can build a picture of those individuals who are involved in these burglaries.
“Incidents like these can be very upsetting and frustrating for law-abiding property owners.
“In some instances, property is left insecure which means there is very little difficulty in removing valuables for offenders. Of course, in many instances, offenders have used tools or other items to force open doors and windows.
Police have issued the following advice:
- Invest in a good quality closed shackle padlock.
- Fit backplates and use threaded coach bolts for all door hinges, hasps and staples to prevent them being wrenched free.
- Chain large items together with smaller items.
- Board over or fit welded mesh to any windows and use net curtains to stop people seeing what you have inside.
- Fit additional locks to your up and over garage door – the standard fitted locks are not always sufficient to prevent a break-in.
- Treat any pedestrian door to your garage as you would an outside door of your home – fit a minimum five- lever mortice lock to secure it.
- Make sure all items in your garage and shed are marked and registered with Immobilise.com. Mark with a DNA property marking system and if large, paint your postcode in bright colour on the item.
- Check your insurance covers items in garages, shed and outhouses
- Remember, tools from your shed or garage could be used to break into your home – by securing them you are making your home more secure too.
“I would also urge people to report suspicious activity so that we can stop other members of the community becoming victims. Any information, no matter how small, may help our investigations,” she said.
Sgt Wallace also stressed the importance of signing up to Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging.
“Community messaging is a really powerful tool to help improve the flow of information between members of the public and the police,” said Sgt Wallace.
“I’d urge anyone who hasn’t already done so to sign up. It is completely free and it allows us to keep you up-to-date with any incidents in your area.”
Anyone who has any information, or witnesses any suspicious activity in their area should call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.
To sign up to Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging, visit www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk
