Appeal following a number of burglaries in Hart and Rushmoor

We would like to issue an alert to homeowners following a series of burglaries that have taken place across Hart and Rushmoor in recent days.

A number of items were taken during the break-ins, including gold, cash and jewellery.

Many of the reported burglaries have taken place during the day or evening – and not overnight.

We are urging members of the public to be on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour during these times.

Officers are now heightening patrols in the affected areas.

Specific details of each incident are as follows:

• Between 4.30pm and 10.45pm on Friday 26 November, entry was gained to a property on Rookswood Close, Hook, via the rear patio doors. Around £50 worth of cash was stolen (44210475905)
• Between 5pm and 7pm on Friday 26 November, entry was gained to a property on Kingsway, Blackwater, via the front door. Up to £45,000 worth of jewellery was taken from the property (44210475962)
• Between 8am and 6.15pm on Friday 26 November, entry was gained to a property on Wren Way, Farnborough, via the patio doors at the rear of the house. Jewellery, a mobile phone, sunglasses and around £50 in cash was reported stolen (44210475776)
• On Sunday 28 November, entry was gained to a property on Chaucer Road, Farnborough, via the rear of the property. Gold worth £1,600 and cash was stolen (44210478177)
• At around 6pm on Tuesday 30 November, entry was gained to a property on Woodvale Road, Farnborough, via the front door. A large quantity of gold was taken (44210481184)
• Between 12pm and 6pm on Tuesday 30 November, entry was gained to a property on Eland Road, Aldershot, via the back door. Around £200 worth of jewellery was stolen (44210481016)
• Between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday 30 November, entry was gained to a property on Linstead Road, Farnborough, via the back door. Cash, a passport, bank cards and paperwork – including a marriage certificate – was stolen (44210481165)
• At around 8pm on Tuesday 30 November, entry was gained to a property on Chapel Lane, Farnborough. It is unclear if anything was stolen (44210481190)

We have completed enquiries in the surrounding areas, but officers are now asking people who were in the areas at the times mentioned above, to check if they have any dash-cam footage or CCTV images that could help the investigations.

Officers are now offering crime prevention advice for anyone in the local area:

• Lock all windows and doors, remembering to double lock UPVC doors by lifting the handle and turning the key. Remove keys from the window and door lock and keep in a safe place out of reach and sight from the letterbox or windows.
• Consider keeping gold and jewellery in a safety deposit box. This can be in a bank.
• If you prefer to keep the items at home, then invest in a good quality safe, which is secured to a brick wall or floor.
• Store gold and jewellery in different locations in the house, but ensure that they are all in secure, protected areas.
• Consider purchasing CCTV cameras that cover your property.
• Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows. Register your property for free on immobilise.com
• Photograph each piece of valuable gold or jewellery against a plain background with a ruler alongside it. Also, keep a written description for each item.
• Ensure side and back gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property. Also make sure sheds and garages are locked with reliable and robust locks to deter any potential burglars. Choose a product which is tested and certified by Sold Secure and Secured by Design to the Police Preferred Specification.
• Consider installing an intruder alarm system by contacting an approved contractor who is a member of the National Security Inspectorate and Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board.
• A house that appears occupied is less likely to be targeted by burglars, installing light switch timers inside the house can help make it appear occupied. Likewise, dusk to dawn or sensor lighting to the front and rear of your home can help deter potential thieves.

If you have any information please call 101 using the references mentioned above. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.