Police officers linking surge of Lymington break-ins
A RASH of 26 non-dwelling burglaries are being linked by police to a raid on a farm in which a man was struck with a crowbar-type weapon.
As reported in the A&T, Gregory Finch (31) was attacked when he confronted four intruders as they attempted to break into a shipping container at Old Bells Farm in Everton Road in Hordle between 3.30am and 4am on Saturday 16th March.
They fled on foot empty-handed.
Another of the raids in the Lymington area during the past month took place at the nearby New Forest Demolition Ltd site on Silver Street between 4am and 5.30am the same day.
A shipping container there was broken into and tools removed but later found abandoned outside.
During the following night a detached garage in Sway Road, Pennington, was targeted in an attempted break-in, but nothing was stolen.
PCSO Stuart Readhead said: “We believe these three incidents are linked and we’re investigating.
“We would like to hear from anyone who thinks they have information about what happened.
“Were you in this area at the time? Do you remember seeing anything suspicious? If so, please call 101, quoting 44190056105.”
Some of the other 23 reported non-dwelling burglaries involved offenders breaking padlocks on garages and outbuildings. In some of these incidents, items such as tools were stolen.
Police are investigating to establish what links there may be between these incidents.
Outbuilding owners are being reminded to carry out checks to ensure they are secure, with some tips on how this can be done being issued.
These include using a battery-operated shed alarm and considering the installation of CCTV, as well as locking tools away inside a box or a locker or securing them with a chain.
A ground anchor or another lock can be used to secure bicycles to the ground within outbuildings.
People are also advised to mark their property to make it easier for it to be returned to them if it does get stolen. For more information visit www.immobilise.com.
Further crime prevention advice can be found online at www.hampshire.police.uk.
