Elderly targeted in burglary blitz

POLICE fear burglars are targeting vulnerable elderly residents after a spate of overnight break-ins.

Many Clarksfield residents report feeling scared in their own homesl, and one elderly woman has suffered five burglaries in six weeks.

One of her neighbours in Melling Road, believes elderly residents are being preyed on by criminals who know are alone. Police have urged residents to look out for their neighbours.

The victim’s neighbour said: “This poor woman is very vulnerable and needs a lot of help at home, but burglars don’t care about that. They have broken in and taken what they felt like.”

Sgt Hilary Laherty, of the central neighbourhood policing team, said: “We appeal for neighbours, friends, family and the local community to be vigilant and provide help and support to the elderly within your area.”

Many members of the community are also concerned by the increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area over the recent months.

One resident said: “I’m very scared living here, my husband worries about me when he goes to work and I’m alone. We have heard about a lot of the problems and robberies in the area.”

Other residents believe the increase in crime has been caused by drugs.

One man said: “Nobody bothers with the police as nothing seems to get solved. All it needs is a camera on the streets here, that will finish all the drug dealing and burglaries. When they put a camera in Glodwick, where the crime used to happen, it stopped straight away - and moved up here.”