Teenage burglar blames victims for break-in

The 16-year-old shows no remorse and mocks the family who lost possessions during one of his raids in Leeds – telling them they were “dumb” for not drawing their curtains and for leaving a kitchen window open.

The habitual offender had been on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) – billed as the “most rigorous, non-custodial intervention available for young offenders.” Writing letters to victims is part of the programme.

The letter was never sent to the intended recipient because of its contents and the burglar’s lack of remorse.

Chief Inspector Melanie Jones said: “The contents of the letter are disgusting but it highlights the cold and dispassionate way burglars select a property to target.”

The officer has warned residents in Leeds to be on their guard against sneak-in burglaries by locking doors, keeping downstairs windows closed and setting alarms.

The letter penned by the teen burglar reads: “Dear Victim, I don’t no (sic) why I am writing a letter to you! I have been forced to write this letter by ISSP.

“To be honest I’m not bothered or sorry about the fact that I burgled your house. Basicly (sic) it was your own fault anyways (sic).

“I’m going to run you through the dumb mistakes you made. Firstly you didn’t draw your curtains which most people now (sic) to do before they go to sleep.

“Secondly your (sic) dumb you live in Stainburns a high risk burglary area and your (sic) thick enough to leave your downstairs kitchen window open. I wouldnt do that in a million years. But anyways (sic) I don’t feel sorry for you and Im (sic) not going to show any sympath (sic) or remores (sic).”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the young burglar who wrote the letter had previous convictions for similar offences.

In the burglary in the Moortown area, a family had a Playstation 3, a camera, a camcorder, two TVs and two speakers stolen by the young criminal.

The teen received a 12-month Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme as part of his sentence for the offence.

The police spokesperson said the letter has been used as a warning to householders to secure their property.

He added that during the previous year from October 2010 an average of 28 per cent of all burglaries in Leeds occurred as a result of an insecure property.