Neighbour praised for foiling burglary at pensioner's Barton home

A QUICK-THINKING neighbour was praised for foiling a would-be burglar who smashed security systems at a pensioner’s home in Barton.

Alerted by noises from outside the property off Barton Wood Road and Seaward Avenue, the resident saw a suspect duck down behind a parked car on the driveway when they went out to investigate.

Police were immediately called around 8.50pm on Friday 10th February and quickly arrived at the scene, by which time the intruder had apparently fled.

No entry was gained to the house, but security camera wires and phone lines had been cut and a Ring doorbell ripped away.

The suspect had also climbed a ladder to destroy an alarm box on the exterior wall.

The neighbour alerted the son of the would-be victim, who is in her 70s and was out at the time.

He asked to remain anonymous but expressed his gratitude for both the neighbour’s actions and the police’s swift response.

“Mum’s neighbour knew she was not there that evening so when he heard something next door he went to investigate,” he told the A&T.

“Obviously, the burglar saw him and ducked into the shadows out of the way.”

The son, who lives in Barton, arrived minutes later to find three police cars already outside. Another two turned up a short time later.

“The response from them was fantastic despite claims the police are nowhere to be seen. Obviously, big thanks to the neighbour as well,” he continued.

“The only other thing that was really strange was that the telephone lines to the whole road were cut as well, and BT had to turn up the following morning and repair them.

“I think the neighbour spoke to BT and they’d never heard of [phone lines being cut] for a residential burglary – mainly for banks and things like that.

“It is a little concerning, but everything turned out well.”

Commenting on the “close-knit” nature of his mum’s local community, he said they were all “a bit astonished” by the incident.

This was the first time her property had been targeted in about 30 years living there.

He urged residents to remain vigilant to suspicious activity in their communities and look out for each other.

Contact Hampshire police on 101, quoting reference 44230057484, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.