Police release shocking photos of mess left by burglars
Police have released shocking photographs of the mess left by
burglars after they broke into a house in Basildon in the hope
that people will come forward with information.
The victim had left the house in Clay Hill
Road for just 35 minutes when the burglars struck
between 11.25am and 12pm on Monday, January 9, 2012.
The victim came back to find the house ransacked and
a car and other other items stolen after suspects forced open
the back door with a spade which had been laying in the
garden.
An estimated £1,740 worth of items were stolen, including two
laptops, a 42 inch television and a handbag. A
Renault car worth around £4,500 was also stolen from the road
outside.
Investigating officer, Dc Alex Gartshore, said: “This happened in
broad daylight along a very busy road so I am certain that a
passerby would have seen something. There is also a bus stop nearby
so we are asking if anyone was walking past or went past in a
vehicle that may have seen anything to contact us.
“This hardworking family have not only had their privacy
intruded but had their home turned upside-down by these
callous thieves. We want to catch them before they have the chance
to wreak misery on anyone else.
"They will try and sell these goods on somewhere so I appeal to the
conscience of anyone that thinks they know who they are to contact
police immediately.”
The victims are particularly upset about losing their laptops
which contained photographs of their family holidays and their
child being born which can never be replaced.
One of the victims, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It makes
me feel sick thinking about what has happened. My partner came home
and discovered the house had been broken into. Nothing feels
personal anymore. All the videos and pictures of our holidays and
family were on the laptops and that’s what we want back more than
anything.
"The car had our child seat inside and we now have all the hassle
and inconvenience of replacing the car, so it has taken away our
independence too.”
Dc Alex Gartshore added: “This family did all the right things
and secured all their uPVC doors properly, but unfortunately the
thieves still got in. However, I cannot say the same for a lot of
other burglaries that we attend where burglars easily forced the
front or back door because it wasn’t locked properly. If you have a
uPVC door, please ensure that the handle is thrown upwards and
locked with a key to fully secure it.”
Police also believe the child’s car seat may hold the key to any
witnesses, as is a large cow-print seat that is visible from the
road and quite distinctive. If you see a Renault car containing
this please get in touch.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Basildon CID
target team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
111.