Four arrested following spate of attempted burglaries in North Staffordshire

We have arrested four people as part of our investigation into a series of attempted burglaries across North Staffordshire over the weekend.

Between Saturday (5 October) and Sunday (6 October), we received lots of reports suggesting that a group of men with balaclavas were seen acting suspiciously in the Meir Park area. They were trying door handles and walking up people’s drives.

In one of the incidents, a blue Mini One was taken by a group of men at about 5.13am on Sunday (6 October) on Caraway Place.

Nothing was taken in the other incidents.

Since then, a team of detectives have been working hard to trawl through CCTV footage, speak to people in the area and carry out robust enquiries into the incidents.

Four teenage boys from Stoke-on-Trent have since been arrested and remain in custody for questioning:

• A 15-year-old on suspicion of burglary and car theft
• A 17-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old on suspicion of burglary

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Yates, from our criminal investigations department, said: “Officers up and down Staffordshire are actively targeting the criminals who think they can steal from members of our communities.

“We know burglary is a priority for so many residents and businesses across the county and we’re committed to working proactively to stop those responsible.

“Our investigation into these incidents is still ongoing and we’d like to speak to anyone with any information or CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage from the area at the time.”

If you can help us, call 101, quoting incident 147 of 6 October, or use Live Chat on our website.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.