Three men arrested and charged with burglary offences in Kettering

Gavin Appleyard, 38, of Elm Road, Kettering, was recently charged with theft from a vehicle and attempted break-ins after being identified on CCTV images.

He has been given a 20-week sentence for these offences.

Another man has been arrested and charged for various burglaries in Kettering town centre.

Peter Owen, 35, of Wellington Street, Kettering, has been remanded and is awaiting a date for sentencing.

Stephen Wood, 38, of Station Road, Burton Latimer, is currently on a tagged curfew for a burglary at Burton Latimer.

Intensive policing activity has been taking place in the town following a recent increase in burglaries and vehicle crime in the area.

PCSOs have been giving crime prevention talks and conducting patrols in hotspot areas and all homes have received a leaflet which includes a home security checker.

Sergeant Nathan Murray from the local safer community team said: “I encourage anybody with any information about suspicious activity in their neighbourhood to call us on 999 for a crime in progress and 101 for less urgent matters.

“Anybody wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or send a message online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

“I encourage Kettering residents to remain vigilant and make sure their home isn’t an easy target as most burglaries are opportunistic.

“Remember to check all windows and doors and make sure they are shut and locked throughout the house.

“If we simply remove that temptation and make it more difficult, it is estimated that a staggering 90 per cent of crime could be prevented.”

Police have released this burglary prevention advice following the recent increase in burglaries:

- Make thieves feel exposed when they approach the front of your property by using low hedges or low fencing. Keep gates shut when you are out.

- Don’t leave tools and ladders lying around for burglars to use. Remember to keep the shed as secure as possible. Thieves often search nearby for tools to break into properties.

- Thieves often look for subtle changes in the environment. An open gate, an empty driveway or letter left in the mailbox are all invitations to a criminal.

- Make all items traceable. Postcode property with a UV pen or consider specialist liquid forensic coded solutions.

- Always remove the keys from the locks to stop someone breaking a small pane of glass and entering using the key. Keep them out of sight and in a safe place.

- If you have an alarm, use it. Most alarm systems can be ‘zoned’, which means parts of the house can be active at night time.

- Keep all doors and windows locked – even if you are in the house. Thieves prefer this point of entry, particularly at the back of the house, as they cannot be seen from the main road. If you leave a room, close and lock the windows, even in the summer months.

For further information about crime prevention advice, go to www.northants.police.uk/crimeprevention.