Two charged following spate of burglaries in Blyth

Two males have been charged following a spate of thefts in the Blyth area.

Since June 1 this year 40 thefts from vehicles have been reported in Blyth, mainly within the Crofton Grange and South Shore estates. The majority of the offending took place overnight during a weekend.

A full investigation was launched by the Blyth Neighbourhood Police team and more than 20 hours of CCTV footage was reviewed by officers.

Now police have charged Dylan Woods, 20, of Barnard Street Blyth with five counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

Woods appeared before magistrates in Bedlington where he was released on bail pending a further court hearing later this month. His bail conditions exclude him from entering the Crofton Grange estate.

A 13 year old boy has been charged with two offences of interfering with a vehicle and will appear in court next month.

Another male, age 16, was arrested and released under investigation.

Neighbourhood Sergeant for Blyth, Jonny Pallace, said: "We take burglary very seriously in Northumbria and we hope local people feel reassured by the swift response to the incidents reported to us recently. High visibility crime prevention patrols were put in place as soon as we saw the pattern of offending.

"However, local residents can take preventative measures themselves. Of the 40 thefts from vehicle crimes reported to us, 35 were due to the vehicles being unlocked. Our advice is simple: lock your vehicles, look after your property and always report anyone suspicious you see hanging around streets and neighbourhoods. You could be helping stop thefts from happening and helping us keep our communities safe. We'd also encourage anyone who hasn't reported a crime of this nature in the area to come forward - we will follow up and take action."

Anyone who has information about the incidents in Crofton Grange and South Shore estates should call officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.