Sutton Police are urging residents to use timers to switch on lights to make it look like their home is occupied following three residential burglaries and one attempted residential burglary in the last 24 hours.
Police believe all of the crimes, which occurred in the North Cheam and Stonecot areas on Wednesday, 4 November, are likely to have occurred during the period just before dark at 17:00hrs.
At homes in Hamilton Avenue, Gander Green Lane and Malden Road windows were forced open to gain entry. Jewellery was stolen from Hamilton Avenue and Gander Green Lane.
At the property in Malden Road, the burglars put the chain on the front door to prevent them being disturbed once they had gained entry. It is not yet known what was stolen from this address.
At a fourth address in Matlock Crescent, two male suspects with hoods covering their faces were disturbed by the occupier whilst they were trying to force open the patio door.
As the evenings get darker, residents are being encouraged to help police combat the traditional rise in burglary at this time of year.
During the period beginning October 2014 to end January 2015 - there were 272 residential burglaries in the borough equating to 43% of the year's total. This is the difference between an average of 68 burglaries per month during this four-month period to 52 per month over the year as a whole.
Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Tyre said: "At this time of year many householders will be noticing that darkness would have fallen long before they get home from work - a period that burglars are known to take advantage of unless householders are prepared."
Residents are being advised that there are a number of steps they can take to make their home less likely to be targeted by burglars. Our advice includes:
- use timers on lights, radios and audio systems to come on when it gets dark to make it look and sound like you are at home; change the rooms used and times to avoid predictability
- install exterior lights such as those which turn on when someone comes into their field of vision
- remove front and back door keys from locks and place them out of sight
- always remember to keep doors and windows locked
If you see anyone acting suspiciously call police on 999 immediately. For non-urgent information, contact Sutton Police station on 101.
At homes in Hamilton Avenue, Gander Green Lane and Malden Road windows were forced open to gain entry. Jewellery was stolen from Hamilton Avenue and Gander Green Lane.
At the property in Malden Road, the burglars put the chain on the front door to prevent them being disturbed once they had gained entry. It is not yet known what was stolen from this address.
At a fourth address in Matlock Crescent, two male suspects with hoods covering their faces were disturbed by the occupier whilst they were trying to force open the patio door.
As the evenings get darker, residents are being encouraged to help police combat the traditional rise in burglary at this time of year.
During the period beginning October 2014 to end January 2015 - there were 272 residential burglaries in the borough equating to 43% of the year's total. This is the difference between an average of 68 burglaries per month during this four-month period to 52 per month over the year as a whole.
Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Tyre said: "At this time of year many householders will be noticing that darkness would have fallen long before they get home from work - a period that burglars are known to take advantage of unless householders are prepared."
Residents are being advised that there are a number of steps they can take to make their home less likely to be targeted by burglars. Our advice includes:
- use timers on lights, radios and audio systems to come on when it gets dark to make it look and sound like you are at home; change the rooms used and times to avoid predictability
- install exterior lights such as those which turn on when someone comes into their field of vision
- remove front and back door keys from locks and place them out of sight
- always remember to keep doors and windows locked
If you see anyone acting suspiciously call police on 999 immediately. For non-urgent information, contact Sutton Police station on 101.