Watton hits out at disgusting break-ins

An 83-year-old woman’s house in The Crescent was broken into and a woman’s home at Clifton Park in New Mills was also targeted while she was at work.

An 83-year-old woman’s house in The Crescent was broken into and a woman’s home at Clifton Park in New Mills was also targeted while she was at work.

Councillor Russell Watton said: “In both cases substantial sums of money, high value jewellery - some of great sentimental value - phones, Ipods etc, were solen.

“The crimes have caused great personal distress, particularly the elderly lady who is too afraid to stay in her own home where she has been for sixty years.

“Be under no illusion, both burglaries were carried out by local thieves with detailed local knowledge.”

Councillor Watton claimed that both break-ins had been reported to police but they had not been publicised.

On a separate matter, the PUP man called on local police to repeat “Operation Filthy” which targeted major seizures of drugs and cash.

He said: “It is time for some joined up thinking in the senior management of policing in Coleraine.

“As budget cuts hit home the situation will deteriorate. The Progressive Unionist Party calls for affirmative action, something must be done, sooner rather than later.”