Skip to content

Appeal after masked burglars raid several homes

Victoria ScheerYorkshire
News imageSupplied CCTV or doorbell security camera footage of a hooded individual walking across the driveway in the foreground. The individual is wearing a dark hooded jacket with the hood pulled up, dark trousers, and light-coloured trainers. The individual's face is largely obscured by the hood and the camera angle. The individual is carrying a rock in both hands, held in front of the torso. Along the right side of the image, beside a brick wall, there is a black electric-style bicycle or off-road bicycle parked upright. In front of the bicycle is a blue wheelie bin with a closed lid. On the left side of the image, near another brick wall, there is a second bicycle with blue bodywork or blue coverings. Several refuse bins are positioned around this area. A second partially visible person appears to be standing near the bicycle and bins on the far left edge of the frame, though only part of the body is visible. In the background, a residential road runs across the top of the image. Additional wheelie bins can be seen near the pavement and driveway entrances.Supplied
Residents have reported a number of break-ins in the Arbourthorne area of the city

A series of break-ins believed to have been carried out by balaclava-clad burglars has caused "thousands of pounds worth of damage", a councillor has said.

In footage shared online, perpetrators can be seen targeting homes in Myrtle Close, Myrtle Drive and Myrtle Crescent in Sheffield, before making off on bikes or on foot.

Ben Miskell, councillor for Park and Arbourthorne, has called for increased police patrols, adding: "People should be able to feel safe in their own homes. What residents have experienced here is completely unacceptable."

South Yorkshire Police said it was aware of a rise in reported burglaries in the area and that officers would provide "a visible presence".

Dean Krause, a Myrtle Close resident whose home was targeted, said he hoped those responsible would be caught.

"Having my home broken into was horrible," he said.

"Obviously, there's the damage and the cost of getting everything sorted, but it's also knowing someone has forced their way into your home.

"It really does shake you up."

News imageSupplied A still frame from a Blink security camera overlooking a garden. The garden is enclosed by a dark wooden fence that runs around the perimeter of the property. Two individuals are visible in the garden. Both individuals are wearing dark hooded puffer-style jackets with the hoods raised. The individual on the left is standing closer to the camera and has their face largely covered. That individual is holding a rock above their head with both hands. The individual on the right is standing several feet away near the edge of the lawn. That individual is also wearing a face covering, along with grey trousers, dark footwear, and light-coloured socks. The individual is positioned on or near a paved area bordering the grass.Supplied
Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact police

Miskell urged anyone with information to contact South Yorkshire Police.

"I'm making a public appeal: if you know who these individuals are, have information that could help identify them, or spot them or their bikes out in the community, please pass that information on to the police," he said.

"The simple fact is there are more of us than there are of them.

"As a community, if we look out for each other and share what we know with the police, we can help identify the people responsible and make sure they get a knock on the door from the police."

Councillor makes appeal after masked burglars raid several homes

Acting Inspector Ross Masters of the South East Neighbourhood Policing Team urged anyone with footage to get in touch.

"We know burglary is an incredibly invasive crime and that's why we adopt a collaborative approach to tackling the issue," he said.

"Every day, we share intelligence with our Neighbourhood Crime Team who investigate all reports of burglary with active lines of inquiry."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

Related internet links