A man has been remanded in custody after admitting the overnight burglary of a house in Lansdown, Bath earlier this month, following his arrest by neighbourhood officers on Tuesday 21st August.
Shane Parry, 37, of the High Street in Bath city centre, appeared before Bath Magistrates on Wednesday 22nd August charged with stealing items including a computer, mobile phone, handbag, purse and sunglasses, after entering the house as a trespasser in the early hours of Monday 13th August.
He was remanded in custody pending his trial at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 26th September.
A woman appeared in court on the same day charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the same incident.
The 33-year-old, also from Bath, admitted the offence and was ordered to pay fines and surcharges totalling £125 and given a six-month drug rehabilitation order.
Avon and Somerset Police are taking the opportunity to offer home security advice, including:
- Locking up and setting the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out;
- Making sure your door is locked by turning the key – some ‘paddle and stub’-handled doors might seem to be locked by lifting the handle, but can still be opened from outside;
- Keeping windows and doors secure if you’re not in the same room;
- Fitting a letterbox cage;
- Hiding your handbag or wallet, keys and other portable valuables safely out of sight;
- Keeping tools locked up in a secure shed or garage;
- Making sure garden furniture and wheelie bins can’t be moved to gain access to upstairs windows.
All these things add up to put a burglar off targeting your home – as does joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. There’s more home security advice on the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around a neighbour’s property, call the police straight away. It’s 999 if a crime is in progress, otherwise ring 101.
