Police enquiries continuing following further attempted break ins

Thursday 14 June 2018

Guernsey Police have said officers are continuing to follow a number of lines of enquiry following the spate of burglaries, attempted break ins and criminal damage which have affected the island so far this year.

While most of the incidents are being treated as isolated cases, some have been linked and are being investigated alongside other reported situations.

Most recently there were two attempted break-ins at Woodies kiosk at Bordeaux and a Portacabin at the Corbet Field on Grand Fort Road last weekend. 

Guernsey Police said at this time those two incidents are not being linked but, Superintendent Phil Breban said: "Police enquiries are continuing into a number of burglaries and cases of criminal damage which have taken place in recent weeks.  There is no evidence to suggest that the attempted break-ins at Woodies Bordeaux and the Portacabin in the Corbet Field are linked, however, we are keeping an open mind and would urge anyone with any information to get in contact with the Control Room on 725111."

Following previous attempted break-ins, burglaries and criminal damage in the island during May, four juveniles were arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries into those cases. Two of the four arrested were held in connection with a number of incidents of criminal damage which took place in the early hours of Saturday 5 May in the north of the island, and two in connection with the spate of damage in the St Peter Port area which took place overnight on Saturday 12 May. Guernsey Police have not said anything further about these cases at this time.

Three further burglaries, which took place in the early hours of Thursday 24 and Friday 25 May at Oatlands, Cobo Tea Rooms and the Rockmount (all pictured above) are being treated as linked. Superintendent Breban said enquiries into those cases are continuing too.

"If anyone was in either area and saw anything suspicious, they are asked to contact Guernsey Police on 725111.  Information can also be given anonymously via the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111," he said. 

Superintendent Breban also confirmed the recent incidents of damage have resulted in increased police patrols in various areas. He said; "officers are also conducting spot-checks on premises outside of opening hours, to check that security measures are in place.  Intelligence suggests that this is a small number of individuals whose anti-social behaviour is having a significant impact on the community.  Members of the public are advised to call Police if they see or hear anything suspicious."

He continued by warning that homeowners and businesses must take steps to enhance their own security,

"The majority of these incidents take place during the hours of darkness, away from public view.  We would reiterate our advice to clubs and businesses to ensure that their security measures are as robust as possible, identify any areas that may be vulnerable and to consider installing security lights, alarms and/or CCTV if appropriate.  For more advice, or to arrange a personal review of security, please contact our Crime Reduction Adviser, Andy Goodall."

Meanwhile, Guernsey Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of three people in connection with separate cases of reported vandalism and graffiti. These incidents are not being linked to those above, but come in the wake of other similar incidents.

The arrests yesterday all relate to alleged incidents which occurred in the Victoria Avenue area and surrounding locations earlier in the day.

Duty Inspector Karl Zierlinger said officers were alerted to the situation at around 01:30 in the morning, after a resident raised the alarm.

"Five vehicles in the surrounding area were found to have been damaged with black spray paint," he said. "Black graffiti was also found on the wall of a basketball court in Le Grand Bouet, on the side of a shed in Pitronnerie Road, on a wall at Rue Jameneau, on a sign at the back of the former Guernsey Bowl and in several locations in the Delancey Park and Mont Morin area."

DI Zierlinger added, "we would like to thank the member of the public concerned for their prompt actions in reporting their concerns to the Police."

He said it is always best for anyone concerned to call the police who will deal with it, "the sooner that incidents are reported to us, the more chance we have of finding those responsible and holding them to account for their actions. We would urge everyone within the community to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at the earliest opportunity."

Police investigations are continuing following the three arrests. Anyone with any information that may assist those enquiries is asked to call the Control Room on 725111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.