Officers arrest 25 after spate of thefts

The crackdown followed 14 separate burglaries over the last three weeks in Scunthorpe, covered by Humberside Police’s B division.

Homes in Warwick Road, Talbot Walk, Burghley Road, Lindley Street, Earl Street, Shipton Road, Derwent Road, Cottage Beck Road, Cambridge Road, Grange Road, Bellingham Road, Roman Way and Macender Court were all burgled, as well as a business on High Street.

After speaking to homeowners who had been victims or left their properties insecure, officers targeted known offenders in a concerted attempt to stop the break-ins.

The arrests, which have mostly been of teenagers, have led to five people being charged with burglary, two with handling stolen goods, and one with possession of a class B drug, while a 25-year-old man was recalled to prison after being charged with the theft of a phone.

Two boys aged 16 have also been charged with being in an enclosed garden for an unlawful reason after being discovered lurking by a house in Auckland Road, Scunthorpe, on July 6.

Detective Inspector John Symes said he was confident the crackdown was working – but urged residents not to make themselves easy targets and to remain vigilant.

He said: “Dwelling burglary is an issue in North Lincolnshire, but I am encouraged by the arrests that we have made and I am confident we are targeting the right people.

“Since we made these arrests and deployed officers to target insecure properties we have seen a reduction in the number of burglary offences. I just hope that this continues.

“However, I do not want members of the community to get complacent. Please help us by keeping doors and windows locked and supporting police as we look to reduce crime in North Lincolnshire.”