Spate of burglaries in Birmingham spark warning from police
West Midlands Police is urging residents to lock their doors and windows, even when they are in, after a small spate of sneak-in burglaries.
It’s after four homes were burgled on Wednesday (21 June) in the Stechford, Yardley, and Hodge Hill areas of Birmingham.
Sneak-in burglaries involve criminals getting into homes through an open door or window and stealing items without being seen.
This type of burglary usually increases when the weather gets warmer.
Chief Inspector Dave Sproson, Birmingham Local Policing Area, said: “It only takes a few minutes – if you’re upstairs in the shower or playing in the garden with the kids, so it is a good idea to shut and lock doors and windows which are easily accessible from the outside.
“We know people tend to lock up when they are going out, but not while they are at home. Avoid leaving doors wide open and unattended, as it can be an invitation for opportunistic burglars.”
The force also advised to keep valuables such as keys, wallets, purses, phones, and laptops or tablets hidden in a safe place when not in use, or even better, take them upstairs overnight.
West Midlands Police said: "We are working hard to prevent and solve as many burglaries as we can. We attend every home burglary and the number of burglaries is at an all time-low nationally, down more than 50 per cent over the past decade."