Derriaghy area is hit by spate of burglaries

At approximately 3.25am on Sunday November 1, police received a report of a burglary at the house of an elderly female in the Mosside Road.

The culprits entered the property whilst the occupant was in bed and it is believed a handbag was stolen.

The female was not injured during this incident, however she was left badly shaken.

A second burglary was discovered at a neighbouring property.

Sometime between 4.30pm on Saturday October 31 and 11.00am on Sunday November 1, a property in the Fairview Park area of Derriaghy was also broken into.

Detectives at Reactive and Organised Crime in Lisburn are appealing to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity to call them on the non-emergency number 101.

Councillor Alexander Redpath said, “It is appalling that this spate of robberies has taken place.

“People have the right to feel safe in their own homes and these robberies have sent shockwaves through the community.

“At a recent meeting of the local Police and Community Safety Partnership we were informed of a significant rise in household burglaries.

“I would remind all residents to take precautions against household burglaries including making sure valuables are hidden from sight and ensuring all doors and windows are locked at all times.

“The saddest fact communicated by the PSNI is that half of all break-ins are in fact walk-ins. Anyone with information about these attacks should of course contact the PSNI immediately.”

Alderman Stephen Martin added: “It is deeply disturbing that there was a spate of incidents in Killeaton. I can only imagine how unsettling it must have been for those affected in the Mosside Road and Fairview Park areas when someone invaded their homes in the way that they did.

“For such a quiet and close-knit community to be seemingly targeted like this will be a very real concern to everyone locally. I contacted the Neighbourhood Policing Team to ask what we can do as local representatives.”