Discarded clothes pointer to quick-change thieves

Burglars and thieves in the north west are trying to elude police by wearing extra clothes when committing offences.

Police twigged to the ruse while investigating break-ins in Bryndwr.

Piles of clothing have been left abandoned in the suburb. Police believe burglars are shedding clothes to change their appearance when they run off from the scene of their crimes.

"There has been an increase of buglaries in Bryndwr over the past month and reports of suspicious people hanging around who appear to be casing houses and cars,'' said Senior Sergeant Philip Dean.

He said they had received a number of reports of clothing left abandoned in Bryndwr.

"If people are caught in the act then they will ditch an outer layer of clothing in order to change their appearance quickly,'' he said.

The buglaries don't appear to have been committed by the same person, he said.

Senior Sergeant Dean said a giveaway that something was not right was people "wearing inappropriate clothing for the hot weather''.

"If it is a hot day and they are wearing layers of clothes, jackets, sweatshirts and a cap then ask yourself why that is,'' he said.

"My advice to people is if you see someone suspicious go up and say hello - that is the strongest prevention because they known that they have been seen. Then call police,'' he said.

He said Christmas might be a time for giving but for thieves and burglars it was time for taking.

People should try and keep presents out of view from would-be burglars looking through windows for items to steal.

Combating potential Christmas thieves was as simple as making it harder for them to gain entry.

"The longer it takes for someone to get into your house the better. Get good quality locks, security lights and a community network going.

"Have noisy deterrents like crunchy stones on your drive way and a dog,'' he said.