Year Ends With Crimewave

Among the victims was an 82-year-old Littlehampton woman, whose home was targeted twice in 12 days by crooks.

In the first break-in, 80 cash and the pensioner's house keys were stolen, and she also suffered the trauma of an attempted burglary at her home last Tuesday.

The woman is being given priority support by police and officers are carrying out a crime survey of her home to prevent further attacks.

Special police units have also been brought in to investigate the seasonal crimes, which have made a misery of many people's Christmas.

A total of 23 homes were broken into during the last two weeks of the year. Burglars struck at all times of day and night and sometimes returned to the same address.

Jewellery, cash, televisions and Play Station computer game consoles were among the property stolen.

High visibility police patrols have been stepped up, while forensic teams have been making detailed examinations of the crime scenes and other officers have been gathering intelligence to track down the burglars.

Chief inspector Steve Whitton, who heads up the Arun police sector, said: "The end of the year saw a number of burglaries in my district, most happening in clusters in the towns. I am directing my resources to track down these offenders and so help curb such crimes in the future.

"Arun is a safe place to live and I am committed to making our community even safer. In order to reduce burglaries in the long term, residents must help us by making sure their homes are secure, and taking all the necessary precautions."

Arun police crime prevention officer PC Mark Tester advised householders to make sure door and window locks complied with minimum insurance company standards.

All valuables should be security marked and items of high value should be photographed.

Having an intruder alarm fitted by a qualified installer should also be considered, and people could contribute to the wider safety of their community by joining Neighbourhood Watch.

Further crime prevention advice is available on request from the police.