Hamilton police issue warning over spate of burglaries

Nov 26 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE this week warned householders not to let thieves spoil their Christmas after a spate of house break-ins in Hamilton and Larkhall.

Officers are investigating break-ins to at least half a dozen homes in the past week.

Thieves made off with thousands of pounds of jewellery, electrical and computer equipment.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the following incidents.

On November 19 between 2.45pm and 10pm thieves made off with a DVD player, laptop, netbook, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and a Samsung TV after breaking into a property in Larkhall’s Andrew Paton Way

On November 20 between 9am and 8.30pm, raiders fled with jewellery and a laptop, worth a four-figure sum in total, after ransacking a home in Larkhall’s Wilson Street.

On November 20 between 3pm and 9.10pm, thieves stole jewellery from a home in Hamilton’s Avonbank Crescent.

On November 21 between 6am and 6.30pm, a raider stole a digital camera after breaking into a home in Hamilton’s Avonbank Crescent.

On November 22 between 2.30pm and 5.30pm thieves made off with jewellery, worth a four-figure sum of cash, from a home in Hamilton’s Avonbank Crescent.

On November 22, a raider escaped with a large quantity of DIY items, including a nailgun, two cordless drills, and golf equipment from a home in Larkhall’s Cameron Path.

Sergeant Claire Campbell, of Hamilton Police’s Community Safety department, warned residents to be on their guard.

“Following a recent spate of housebreakings and attempts on houses and garden sheds, we are keen to reinforce the message of home security again,” she said.

“At this time of year, all of us are looking forward to celebrating the festive season, and with the task of buying lots of presents and planning an enjoyable Christmas at the top of our priorities, sometimes thinking about securing the home slips the mind.

“The days are becoming darker earlier, and with no one at home to put on lights, it can be more apparent to would-be thieves that no one is at home.

'Householders should remember to lock and secure all their doors, including patio doors, keep all valuables out of sight and try to use timer switches for your lights.

“People can buy these timer switches from most DIY stores. They are an excellent deterrent for thieves.”

Anyone with information on the above incidents should telephone Hamilton Police Office on 483300 or alternatively, call Crimestoppers on the freephone number 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be guaranteed.