Late December two houses were targeted by a group of men 'touring' up and down the local roads in a white van. At eight o'clock in the early evening they gained entry to one house stealing property, in the neighbouring house they were chased off by the house owner. Vigilant neighbours had previously spotted the van and had recorded the number plates alas false plates. Had the neighbour phoned the police directly about the white van the false plates would have been identified before the event.
The night of 24 Jan a house had the double glazed French windows smashed and three professional standard race bikes stolen. Two track bikes a blue Geoffrey Butler and a red 'Trek' both very distinctive bikes. Also a white road bike with blue lettering 'decathlon'
Lessons to be learnt. I had noticed in the previous weeks disruption to hedges at the bottom of my and neighbouring property. More aggressive plants like pyracantha and good old fashioned brambles included in the hedges may have been a deterrent. The motion sensor lights were disabled by pulling down the sensor so they faced the wall. I will endeavour to either super glue the fixing or put a cage around the lights.
What is clear was they gained entry to the property via another property without a side entrance door. This has made nearby properties vulnerable.
In both cases there was a very prompt response from the police and back up visits.