UK COMPUTERS STOLEN Crack down on scourge of travelling criminals - Northumberland Today:

Thursday, 24th September 2009

Crack down on scourge of travelling criminals

Published Date:
24 September 2009

By Helen Woods

A POLICE chief has branded travelling criminals as "rats" after a spate of rural burglaries across north Northumberland in just 12 hours.

Alnwick inspector, Sue Peart, is calling for the public to help crack down on travelling criminals after four burglaries on Monday night.

Between 8pm and 8am, thieves targeted farm and commercial properties and all are believed to have been committed by the same gang.

Police want the public to remain vigilant and protect their homes, businesses and neighbourhoods to prevent future raids.

Insp Peart said: "Criminals are like rats, they hate noise and they hate light, so let's treat them like the rats they are and keep them out of our communities."

The crime spree started after an 18-ton, curtain-sided, lorry was stolen in Hexham.

Police believe this was taken to Rock Moor Farm and loaded with quad bikes and other farming equipment.

A tractor's diesel tank at the farm was then punctured and police believe the crooks tried to siphon the fuel off after the lorry's tank ran dry.

It was then abandoned and a white van was stolen.

A garage at the Three Horseshoes Inn at Rennington was then broken into. There they stole a heavy tool box which, according to police, would need at least two people to lift.

It is thought that they then stole a horsebox wagon from the Schoolhouse in the village after finding keys in the garage.

In the final leg, the gang smashed reception windows at the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel in Embleton and stole computers.

Various clues from each scene have led police to believe that the four incidents are linked, but forensic examinations are still under way and potential suspects are being investigated.

Insp Peart said: "We need people to come together and protect our communities from travelling criminals.

"This is something I have been concerned about for quite some time and that is why we are trying to engage as many people as possible in our watch schemes.

"We need people to phone in and let us know about anything they think is suspicious.

"Because of our close-knit communities, people know when a vehicle is strange and they know when a person is unusual.

"I am calling out to the public – let's come together and show the travelling criminals that this is not easy pickings, we will look after our own communities and do it together."

She added that neighbourhood policing teams in the district can advise anyone who is concerned about the protection of their properties.

A daytime burglary also took place in Alnwick at the weekend when thieves broke into a house in West Acres and stole around £600-worth of jewellery. The incident took place between 8.55am and 3.05pm on Sunday.

The Berwick sector – covering Wooler, Belford and Seahouses – has not seen such a spate of travelling crime.

However, a man is awaiting a crown court sentence for taking tools valued at more than £30,000 from Ancroft Tractors, in Berwick, earlier this month. The 29-year-old was also charged with taking two vehicles without consent.

Inspector Martin Baylis has also appealed to the community to keep sheds and outbuildings secure and to report suspicious vehicles or people to the police.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious on Monday night or who has information about any of the crimes should contact Alnwick Neighbourhood Policing Team on 03456 043 043 ext 69191, email alnwick.npt@northumbria.pnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

POLICE have proved that their prevention techniques work after two men were convicted of going equipped to steal.

Dale Wharton and Barry Dixon from Bedlington were arrested after setting off a driveway alarm at The Lee Farm near Rothbury in February. The alarm was supplied by police to protect the premises.

They were convicted at Newcastle Crown Court this month and are due to be sentenced on October 9.