Anger over local burglaries

“Over the course of the last few months there has been a spate of break-ins causing major distress to many families and some quite vulnerable people,” said Mr Poots. “I have been made aware of many crimes, particularly in the Hillsborough and Lisburn areas, were there is a view that local knowledge is assisting in the crime as many of the burglaries are happening in daylight hours when people have been away from home for a few hours.

“People need to do more to protect their properties ensuring it is properly locked. It is also the case that the PSNI needs to give a greater priority to this issue.

“Breaking and entering to steal people’s property is a serious crime, it violates a persons home, oftentimes the items stolen have a far greater value for sentimental purposes as they were gifts from loved ones, on occasions passed down the family for generations.

“The bottom line is the public deserve protection from these criminals and the police need to give higher priority to putting thieves before the courts.”