Last updated 12:23, Friday, 14 November 2008

CHARITY money and power tools have been stolen in a spate of Barrow burglaries.

The first burglary took place between 1.30am and 9am on Monday at a house in Meetings View, Barrow.

While the person who lived in the house was asleep upstairs, a large amount of cash was stolen, including charity money for the Oncology Unit at Furness General Hospital. A man’s gold watch, which had inscriptions on the back, and a number of special issue coins, were also taken.

Two burglaries then occurred in garden sheds in the Mill Bank area of Ormsgill.

Both sheds were located in rear gardens and both were secured, but the offender or offenders used force to gain entry. The first burglary was reported to police on Tuesday when seven packs of black coloured ceramic stone tiles were stolen.

The second burglary was reported to police on Thursday when a large number of garden tools were stolen, including a green and black Bosch hedge trimmer, an orange Flymo hedge trimmer, a red and black petrol Power Devil lawn mower, a yellow and black Karcher power washer and a black and green Marin mountain bike.

Police are keen to speak to anybody who may have seen or heard anything suspicious or seen anyone acting suspiciously in the areas, especially in the early hours of the morning.

Officers would also like to hear from anyone who has been offered similar items for sale.

People are reminded to be more vigilant in the security of their homes in the build-up to Christmas, and to take appropriate measures to protect their property.

Anyone with information should contact Barrow CID on 0845 33 00 247, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.