Street light switch-off may be leading to crime increase
Monday, 23rd January 2012.
Haverhill's police chief has issued an urgent plea to residents to help him fight a continuing crime spike in the town by keeping their property secure.
Insp Peter Ferrie admitted it had been another bad week with six domestic burglaries in the Haverhill area, compared with a weekly average of one, and nine burglaries of sheds and garages, compared with a weekly average of three.
This follows a bad week last week with increases in similar crimes. This week the Chimswell estate has particularly been targeted.
Insp Ferrie said he was coming round to the view that the switch-off of street lighting might be a contributory factor.
"Up until the other day I would not have thought it," said Insp Ferrie, "but one of my officers out late at night on cycle patrol told me he was amazed at how dark it was on the estates, particularly on the Chimswell.
"He said he couldn't see anything at all and would not have been able to find and catch anyone, and he is a former serviceman.
"If that is the case it is certainly making it difficult for us, although I can't say categorically that is the reason for the crime increase."
But Insp Ferrie said he urged everyone to be aware of the current situation and make sure they locked their houses, sheds, garages and cars.
"There are people out there who will steal from you," he said. "It may only be a couple of people, but until we can catch them, that is the situation."
Year on year Haverhill's crime figures are still down, with 62 domestic burglaries compared with a yearly average of 81.
Police have made an arrest with regard to an aggravated burglary which took place last week on the Clements estate.
A man has appeared in court in connection with the burglary at an address in Clarendon Road, near the former Clements school.
Police were called at around 10.50am Thursday, following a report from the occupant of the property that someone was trying to break in.
Officers attended and arrested 29-year-old Lee Holland a short while later at another address in the town.
Mr Holland was transferred to Bury Police Investigation Centre where he was charged on Friday.
He appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court on Saturday, January 21, when he was remanded in custody, and is due to appear again at Ipswich Crown Court on February 2.
Insp Peter Ferrie admitted it had been another bad week with six domestic burglaries in the Haverhill area, compared with a weekly average of one, and nine burglaries of sheds and garages, compared with a weekly average of three.
This follows a bad week last week with increases in similar crimes. This week the Chimswell estate has particularly been targeted.
Insp Ferrie said he was coming round to the view that the switch-off of street lighting might be a contributory factor.
"Up until the other day I would not have thought it," said Insp Ferrie, "but one of my officers out late at night on cycle patrol told me he was amazed at how dark it was on the estates, particularly on the Chimswell.
"He said he couldn't see anything at all and would not have been able to find and catch anyone, and he is a former serviceman.
"If that is the case it is certainly making it difficult for us, although I can't say categorically that is the reason for the crime increase."
But Insp Ferrie said he urged everyone to be aware of the current situation and make sure they locked their houses, sheds, garages and cars.
"There are people out there who will steal from you," he said. "It may only be a couple of people, but until we can catch them, that is the situation."
Year on year Haverhill's crime figures are still down, with 62 domestic burglaries compared with a yearly average of 81.
Police have made an arrest with regard to an aggravated burglary which took place last week on the Clements estate.
A man has appeared in court in connection with the burglary at an address in Clarendon Road, near the former Clements school.
Police were called at around 10.50am Thursday, following a report from the occupant of the property that someone was trying to break in.
Officers attended and arrested 29-year-old Lee Holland a short while later at another address in the town.
Mr Holland was transferred to Bury Police Investigation Centre where he was charged on Friday.
He appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court on Saturday, January 21, when he was remanded in custody, and is due to appear again at Ipswich Crown Court on February 2.
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