North Wales Police urge residents to remain vigilant after a spike in burglaries

Inspector Steve Owens, of the South Flintshire policing team, confirmed they have received reports of six burglaries in the past seven days. However, all of which have been unoccupied.

He said: “Although this is quite a high number, none have been confrontational. Whilst every burglary is concerning, the fact is that none of these properties have been occupied.

“Two are currently for sale or for rent, they have the company signage outside which gives an indication that they are unoccupied. If someone sees a for sale sign, they will know it’s empty.

“This current spate doesn’t involve any victims. This is a particular MO currently being utilised by opportunists.”

Two instances have occurred at properties managed by a local estate agent.

Inspector Steven Owens 

One at Rhyd y Goleu, Mold between December 23 and January 9. The Inspector confirmed damage was caused to the window and inside the property.

The second involved an empty property at Black Brook Drive in Sychdyn between December 22 and January 1. Damage was again caused inside.

Officers at the South Flintshire policing team are also appealing for information following a burglary in Pwll Glas, Mold overnight on January 13/14. Inspector Owens said this was ‘another property currently empty for refurbishment’. Various tools were stolen.

Inspector Owens said: “We have to look at the threat, harm and risk associated with these types of offences and in these cases this is minimal.

“But every burglary has an impact, there is a victim even though there is no confrontation, whether that is monetary or welfare.”

Overnight on January 10/11 a number of items were stolen from an insecure garden shed at the rear of an unoccupied property at Windsor Drive in Broughton.

These items included a mountain bike, petrol powered children’s mini quad, plastic sandpit, barbecue grill and a fan on a stand.

Police are also appealing for information after a green Suzuki quad bike was stolen from a farm in Lixwm Road in Holywell.

Inspector Owens confirmed the incident occurred overnight on January 13/14 and it was removed from an open outbuilding.

He said: “The bike is not road legal; it was used just on private land. There are no nearby dwellings, streetlights or CCTV so we believe someone knew and they have gone there specifically for that item.

“Our rural crime team will try to develop this as best they can.”

The Inspector said that despite the recent spike, the year on year figures for the South Flintshire policing team have reduced.

He added: “Year on year Flintshire South has seen a 5.4 per cent reduction to residential burglaries.

“We would consider this to be a spiking activity which has been seen many times in the last 12 months.

“Burglary other than residential we have seen a 20 per cent reduction year on year which is a significant success and supports our efforts at targeting these types of activity. This is just a spike, which we will hopefully address.”