Four burglars jailed as police urge Christmas vigilance

Four burglars have been jailed today (Thursday 19 December) but as Christmas approaches, Merseyside Police is reminding residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes from burglars.

Awad Mohammad, aged 22 years, of Nickleby Close in Liverpool, and Ibrahim Azaryoon, aged 27 years, of Nelson Street in Ellesmere Port, were jailed for 10 years and 12 years respectively, at Liverpool Crown Court for aggravated burglary.

Detective Sergeant Alan Williams of Merseyside Police’s burglary team, known as Operation Castle, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Mohammad and Azaryoon today. This was a violent burglary where the offenders forced their way into a house in Wirral, armed with a machete and large knife.

“Two children were asleep in the house while the offenders set about stealing a safe. During the incident, the adult occupier confronted the burglars, resulting in the victim receiving slash wounds to the arm and wrist. This was a truly terrifying incident, and we are pleased to see Mohammad and Azaryoon being put behind bars.”

Awad Mohammad (left) and Ibrahim Azaryoon (right).

Also, Carl Power, aged 22 years, from Bootle and Anthony Milton, aged 20 years, from Bootle, were jailed for three years and eight months, and four years respectively at Liverpool Crown Court for burglary and taking motor vehicles. The pair committed a series of burglaries across the boroughs of Sefton, St Helens and Liverpool between October and December 2023, often gaining entry to a premises to steal the occupier’s vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Williams said: "Not only were Power and Milton charged with 6 and 12 offences respectively, but the court was also asked to take into consideration a further 14 offences when sentencing Power and a further 15 for Milton.

 Carl Power (left) and Anthony Milton (right).

“Investigating series-linked burglaries like this can involve complex enquiries and these offences were detected following a lengthy investigation that highlights how determined Merseyside Police is in its pursuit of offenders.

“The volume of offences in this case also highlights that such prolific burglary activity is often opportunistic, and we know that in the run-up to Christmas, criminals often take advantage of the cover of darkness to target homes that appear unoccupied or poorly secured. We urge residents to take a few simple precautions and protect their homes from would-be intruders.”

Follow these tips as a starting point to help protect your home:

• Ensure all doors and windows are locked, even when at home. Many burglars gain entry through unsecured entry points, so it's vital to double-check that all access points are properly secured before leaving home or going to bed.
• Keep Christmas gifts, valuables, keys and other tempting items out of view. Burglars are often on the lookout for easy-to-reach items, so it's best to store these away from windows and doors.
• Avoid leaving deliveries visible on your doorstep and don't leave gift packaging lying around by bins outside.
• If you own a vehicle that uses keyless locks, ensure you keep the fob in a Faraday bag or shielded container.
• Install motion-activated security lighting around the property. Well-lit homes are less attractive targets, as thieves prefer to operate under the cover of darkness.
• Register valuable items through schemes like Immobilise, which can aid recovery if they are stolen. Residents are also advised to photograph and security-mark items that can't be registered.

Detective Sergeant Williams added: “Modern video surveillance cameras, including smart doorbells, can be very useful, particularly those with cloud-based apps, but you should check the guidance on the Information Commissioner’s Office website when installing CCTV at home.

"And remember, the support of our communities is vital in helping us put offenders behind bars. If you see or hear anything that doesn't seem right, please don't hesitate to get in touch. The information you provide could be the missing piece that helps us prevent a crime or catch the offenders."

If you discover video footage on your home security camera or smart doorbell that shows someone acting suspiciously on your property, you can upload it for the attention of the Operation Castle team here:
https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/merseyside/appeal/castle

You can share any other information you think is useful via our social media desk on X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.

You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org

If you have been affected by crime, support is available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service. Call Freephone 0808 175 3080 or visit https://victimcaremerseyside.org