Burglars preying on region’s most vulnerable, police warn

Officers say thieves are identifying victims in bungalows and properties clearly fitted with mobility aids, knowing they are less likely to offer resistance.

There have been 15 recorded offences in the Kirk Ella, Anlaby and Willerby areas of Hull and the East Riding since November - a threefold increase compared to the same period last year.

In the latest incident an intruder climbed in through the window of a bungalow in Ellerker Rise, Willerby, and stole a range of jewellery from a bedroom while the owner, a paralysed man in his 60s, was watching television in the next room.

After trawling through his personal possessions, the thief made off with a nine-carat gold link bracelet, three nine-carat gold rings, three gold signet rings and a watch. Police said the incident was typical of the recent spate of burglaries.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: “Over the last two months the vulnerable and the elderly have been picked on when burglars have decided to break into people’s homes.

“In the Anlaby area alone, bungalows, homes with grab handles and properties with obvious signs of mobility problems have been the victims of sneaky thieves who have broken into their homes and stolen valuable and very sentimental items.”

Detectives have conducted house to house inquiries as part of the investigation into the Ellerker Rise incident, while uniformed colleagues have stepped up patrols in the area in a bid to provide reassurance, and advice is being given on how to deter sneak-in burglars.

Officers are also monitoring second hand shops, online auction sites and adverts in the effort to locate the stolen goods and return them to their owners.

Det Insp Paul Kirby, from the serious and acquisitive crime team at Beverley Police Station, said: “To be burgled can be an awfully traumatic experience, but to know you have been picked on due to the fact you are elderly or vulnerable can really be harrowing for the victims.

“I have derived a pack called ‘Stop the sneak thief’ which is being posted to every household in the area. The pack contains a letter explaining the issue and also includes a very informative leaflet that offers lots of crime prevention advice.

“I need everyone to be on watch for their elderly or vulnerable neighbours. People who are hard of hearing, unable to move as quickly or are disabled, sadly can be easy pickings for burglars, despite the fact nine times out of 10 they are inside the house when the burglar breaks in.”

He added: “The East Riding is one of the safest places to live in England and even with this little spike of crime activity, Anlaby and Willerby continues to be one of the lowest crime areas in England. Regardless of this fact, I do not want burglars taking advantage of our grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and any vulnerable or elderly neighbours.”

Mr Kirby said officers would be available to visit residents to give advice on how to make their homes safer. And he also said anyone with information about who might be responsible for the break-ins could contact him in confidence and they would not have to give their name.

He said: “I am offering anyone the opportunity to either tell me in strictest confidence and with complete anonymity who they suspect is breaking into these homes. Also, we are offering a free home safety check if you would like your local officer to come to your house and explain how you could improve your home security. Whether that be closing windows when you are not in that room, adding door catches or property marking, we can help you.”

To request a home safety check or provide information about suspected offenders, call Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101.