Witham: Burglars smash safes and raid pensioners' homes (From Braintree and Witham Times)
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Witham: Burglars smash safes and raid pensioners' homes
9:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News
Steve Armson-Smith, crime reduction and architectural liaison officer for Essex Police.
Elderly and vulnerable residents have been targeted in a spate of burglaries.
Crooks smashed open key safes from the outside their victims' homes, let themselves in and stole cash and property.
Margaret Brewster who lives off Laurence Avenue in Witham has been unable to sleep since her home was targeted.
She said: “Luckily I was in bed asleep and did not hear them break in, or else I would have been very frightened.
“I only realised when I got up the next morning and all my doors were open."
Steve Armson-Smith, crime reduction and architectural liaison officer for Essex Police, said:
"Residents should always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when fitting their key safe.
“They should never fit a key safe in full view of passing pedestrians.”
To read full story, see this week's Times.
