Police probe raid spree

POLICE have stepped up patrols in part of a Northumberland town following a spate of break-ins.

VEHICLE CRIME - Golcar, Sept 9. Grey Peugeot 205 reg no K277 ODY stolen. Marsden, Sept 8. Person/s unknown and unseen stole vehicle from a residential driveway and made good escape in an unknown direction.Northumbria Police have increased overnight patrols - by foot and car - in The Avenues area of Blyth in the wake of reported burglaries of homes, sheds and garages in the last week or so.BURGLARY - Meltham, Sept 8. Raider got into integral garage through up-and-over door and tried to force integral kitchen door but could not get in. He then climbed up on large children's swing in back garden and got into house through unlocked first floor bedroom window. Vehicle keys on hook in kitchen and laptop computer and notebook stolen from lounge. Raider then escaped through kitchen door using key left in lock. Stolen car keys then used to steal red Mazda MX-5 registration H725 FAF. Honley, Sept 10. Thief got into detached garage through metal up-and-over door. Mountain bike and tool box stolen. Meltham, Sept 10. Trampoline stolen from back garden of house.

"We would urge people to follow simple security advice like locking their doors and windows and leaving lights on when they're not at home, as this can make a real difference to protecting their property. "Keys should also be removed from doors or on show next to windows, which also present opportunities for thieves. "The same advice applies to vehicles.'' Anyone with information about the burglaries, or who wants to report a crime, should contact police on 0345 604 3043, ext 69191.