OFFICERS investigating four burglaries which all occurred in the west end of Barry on the same day, are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Houses on Oxford Street, Aberystwyth Crescent and two on Canon Street were broken into during the day on Wednesday, November 22. In each of the burglaries, which are being linked, thieves gained entry via the back door, ransacking many of the rooms and making off with cash and jewellery.

Burglars targeted the Oxford Street address sometime between 8.40am and 1.10pm; one of the Canon Street addresses between 8am and 4pm and the other between 10.30am and 4.30pm; and the Aberystwyth Crescent property between midday and 3.45pm.

Local Policing Inspector for Barry, Paul Tinkler, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of reported burglaries in Barry during November. At this stage we are connecting all of these burglaries and I’d appeal to anyone who thinks they saw anything suspicious in the area on Wednesday, or in the days leading up to and since the burglaries, to contact us.

“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team understands that incidents of this nature can cause worry in our communities and as such house-to-house enquiries and extra patrols – both high visibility and plain-clothed – are underway in order to identify who is responsible and try to prevent further offences.

“But I’d also urge the public, who are quite simply our eyes and ears, to work with us to keep the area safe. Burglars sometimes live in, or near, the very communities in which they operate. Equally criminals travel to new areas to commit crime in the belief they won’t be recognised, so we would ask that any suspicious behaviour or individuals are brought to our attention immediately”

The public are also encouraged to review their personal and home security.

Insp Tinkler added: “There are a number of different crime prevention measures that can be put in place to deter a burglar such as locking doors and windows, installing an alarm or CCTV, and not leaving valuables items such as jewellery, iPads and car keys on show. Ensure that tracking software on devices is enabled. Those who have expensive jewellery should consider making use of a safety box facility or installing a good quality safe that is secured to the wall or floor.

“I would also ask residents with CCTV to regular check for any suspicious activity near their home.”

Anyone with information should contact 101, quoting reference 1700459301.