Hartlepool households warned after spate of weekend burglaries

Cleveland Police are urging people to make their homes secure.

Cleveland Police chiefs stated across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland there were 12 burglaries over a 24-hour period last weekend.

Police are now offering advice to homeowners on how to keep their properties safe and secure in a bid to prevent further burglaries.

They are also calling on residents to stay aware and report any incidents or information linked to the crimes they may have.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure following a number of burglaries in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland last weekend.

“Ensure all windows and doors are locked – even in the warm weather.

“Get into the habit of locking any entry points when leaving your home.

“Remove any keys from locks and ensure keys are not within reach of the letterbox and kept in a safe place.”

Police also advised residents they could consider installing motion detection lights and CCTV with a clear view of any entry points.

If anyone attempts to enter the property, lights would activate, acting as a deterrent.

And there is also a warning about the effectiveness of some security methods.

Officers noted a number of burglar alarms have a ‘chime’ feature, which means if there is an alarm on a front door, it can be programmed to make a sound when the door is opened.

However police have stressed residents cannot rely on this method alone, as the sound it makes may not always be heard by members of the household.

Finally police stated, where installed, house alarms should be activated overnight and when residents leave the house.

Anyone with information of any crimes is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively they can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

More crime prevention advice can also be found on the Cleveland Police website atwww.cleveland.police.uk.

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