Appeal over burglaries near Lichfield and Cannock

Officers are appealing for information after a series of burglaries in Burntwood, Rugeley and Norton Canes.

Police have seen an increase in the number of reported burglaries in these areas since 15 December.

Offenders appear to be targeting the homes of vulnerable people and accessing properties through rear windows and doors.

Jewellery, cash and car keys have been stolen from properties.

Burglars appear to be offending while victims are out, particularly during the weekend evenings.

Most recently, officers were called at 3.26pm on Wednesday (5 January) to a property in Etchinghill.

Offenders had thrown a brick through the kitchen window and conducted a messy house search.

Nothing was reported stolen.

Officers had been called twice on Saturday 1 January to a property near to Wolseley Road in Rugeley and an address near Watling Street in Norton Canes.
A large quantity of jewellery and car keys were reported stolen in the Rugeley burglary.

A PVC door had been broken to gain entry in the Norton Canes burglary, where watches and a quantity of jewellery was taken.

Officers are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the areas at the time of the burglaries and ask anyone with information or dashcam footage to get in touch.
Contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101, quoting incident number 387 of 5 January.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police recommend that in order to protect your home and property from burglars:
• lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes
• double-lock any door
• make sure that any valuables are out of sight
• keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys
• never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways
• in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
• if you are out all day, use a timer to turn lights and a radio on at night
• set your burglar alarm
• make sure any side gates are locked
• lock your shed or garage and secure any bicycles to a bolted ground anchor.

For more burglary prevention advice, visit: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Staffordshire Police