BURGLARY has soared in Notts, with crooks taking advantage of hot summer weather to sneak into homes through unlocked doors and windows.
Notts Police say break-ins are up 24 per cent in the five months between April and August compared with the same period last year.
It means this summer there were 1,786 victims of burglary during the period, 347 more than last year. Police estimate one third of thefts have occurred where residents have failed to lock their homes.
The rise in burglary has brought misery to householders and is a disappointment to Notts Police, which has helped to deliver a dramatic fall in the number of thefts from homes in recent years.
But burglars have hit back, targeting areas including Hucknall, West Bridgford, Carlton, Wollaton and Beeston.
In Forest Fields, police believe thieves may be painting ticks on homes earmarked for burglary.
One victim of the burglars, Rachel Hurst, of Heather Rise, Wollaton, arrived home from a holiday in Greece last night to assess the damage after she was burgled twice while she was away. In one raid, heartless thieves stole jewellery belonging to her late father and mother, including wedding and engagement rings.
Incredibly, brazen villains targeted her home on a second occasion and nicked her Mercedes car, while she celebrated her daughter's 21st birthday in Rhodes.
Ms Hurst said: "The jewellery can't be replaced. I am sure they took it to melt down but it is priceless to me. I just want it back. It is not about how much it's worth, it is all I have left of my parents."
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said he was "concerned" by the rise in burglaries, which he has discussed with senior officers this week. Mr Tipping said he had also spoken about the issue with Tom Winsor, the new HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary – the national police watchdog – yesterday.
He told the Post: "I have been on to the force consistently over recent months saying 'what are you doing about it?' and they have got a plan in place, and the level of burglary is coming down [again]."
Notts Police have had significant success before this summer in tackling burglary. According to the force, between December 2009 and December 2012, house burglaries fell by more than 50 per cent from 8,266 offences to 4,019.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Jupp said the rises came after a "fantastic" performance, when the force recorded its lowest crime level for decades.
Mr Jupp said: "We are comparing year-on-year data with the lowest levels ever, which does make it difficult to maintain such large reductions. Burglary remains a force priority.
"While the overall percentage increase may at first view seem high, the overall numbers are far lower than they have been historically.
"We are starting to see results heading in the right direction, and our latest figures show that August is showing a similar number of offences this year compared to last.
"We will continue to place our focus and resources in this area, to lock up the bad people and protect the law-abiding majority."
Notts Police are running several specialist operations in the county to tackle burglary and are warning householders to secure their properties.
In Forest Fields, beat manager PC Mark Tindall has written to residents warning of the green tick and cross marks that have appeared on window sills.
He said: "Whilst this may well be childish graffiti, I am also aware that criminals have used such markings in the past to highlight addresses that they are interested in."
He added: "This summer, Forest Fields has suffered from a seasonal increase in dwelling [home] burglaries. It would appear that thieves are taking advantage of the warm weather as residents leave their ground floor windows open."
Meanwhile, Ms Hurst has asked for the public's help to find her parents' jewellery. The items stolen include her late mother's wedding and engagement ring, a gold aquamarine ring, a gold watch, a diamond and sapphire ring and several gold necklaces. Her late father's gold sapphire ring and gold watch were also taken.
Two men, aged 31 and 24, have been arrested in connection with the initial burglary at Ms Hurst's home. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information about burglaries in their area is asked to contact Notts Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.
Have you been the victim of a burglary? Email newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
![Burglars are back - and they're marking homes they want with paint Burglars are back - and they're marking homes they want with paint]()