POLICE are warning residents to be on their guard after a spate of reports of burglars walking into people’s unlocked homes.
Hartlepool Police are appealing to both the public and the criminal fraternity to help them catch those responsible for the offences, especially as they involve elderly people being targeted.
It comes after a man walked into a pensioner’s bungalow in Tweed Walk, off Raby Road in Hartlepool, and stole a quantity of cash.
Police say the man, in his 30s, was disturbed by the woman, in her 70s, during the evening of Thursday, January 31.
A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and bailed pending further inquiries.
Inspector Mick Brown, of Hartlepool Police, said: “There has been an increase in suspicious activity around the Tweed Walk area of people allegedly trying door handles in the hope that people aren’t locking their doors.
“We would advise that they lock their doors and also ensure that their windows are locked.”
He added: “We need to know if anyone has information about these crimes, and as well as members of the wider public for information, we are also appealing to members of the criminal fraternity especially where the elderly are concerned.”
Insp Brown said there is an extensive investigation ongoing into the crimes with house-to-house inquiries involving CID, neighbourhood police and response officers.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.