Appeal following burglary in Upton

We are appealing for information following a burglary at a home in Upton in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 31 May).

At around 12.30am, it was reported that a man had broken into the property of an elderly woman on Pemberton Road.

While inside, the man has searched a bag and taken her purse and a bracelet. He also verbally abused the woman before fleeing the scene.

The man is described as a white male, in his mid 20s and he was wearing a navy blue fleece.

We are in the early stages of an investigation and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Dave Sung said: “This would have been an extremely traumatic incident for the victim and we are determined to find the person responsible.

“Burglary is an invasive crime that pervades people’s homes and personal space, and can have a significant impact on victims. This is often not due to the financial value, but the emotional value of the property taken than can never be replaced.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people to always take the relevant precautions. It is always advised to lock your front and back door even when you are in, and if you have one, set your burglar alarm when you go out or go to bed.

"During the warm weather, although it might be tempting to leave windows and doors open, please be vigilant when you aren’t around as this may leave your home vulnerable to opportunistic burglars.

“It’s also a good idea to use light timers when you go out at night or during the summer holiday period, keep valuables out of sight, and secure your shed and garage too. Look out for your neighbours, especially the elderly, and report anything suspicious to us.

“Being a victim of burglary can be devastating and we will continue to work closely with our communities and partners to ensure everyone feels safe and secure in their own homes, and that the offenders who commit these crimes are brought to justice.

“If you live in the Pemberton Road area and have CCTV cameras, please check to see if you captured anything suspicious in the early hours of this morning and we will take action."

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 23000464589.