This in from police, in their own words. Ed
A 32-year-old man from Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight was detained in Brighstone at 4.35am on Saturday morning (March 30, 2013) on suspicion of burglary.
He was questioned and released on bail until May 24, 2013 pending further enquiries.
The arrest comes as detectives from Isle of Wight CID gather further evidence relating to three reports of burglaries at businesses on the Isle of Wight.
Break-in at Village Shop
At around 4am on Saturday, March 30, 2013, the glass of a door to the Village Shop on the main road in Brighstone was smashed. Nothing was reported stolen. It’s believed two suspects were disturbed during the break-in.
Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in Brighstone during the early hours of Saturday.
Break-ins at chemists
Detectives are linking this burglary to two similar break-ins on the Island recently.
At 4.30am on Good Friday (March 29, 2013), a burglary was reported at the pharmacy in Niton High Street. No drugs were taken – enquiries are continuing into what was stolen.
At around 4.30am on Sunday, March 17, 2013, Boots the Chemist in Moa Place, Freshwater, was broken in to when thieves smashed a panel in the front door of the store. Once inside, a quantity of Diazepam was stolen from the medication shelving behind the sales counter. A Red Nose Day collection bucket was also taken from off of the counter, although the amount of money it held is unknown.
Diazepam is a prescription drug and misuse can have dangerous short- and long-term health consequences when used incorrectly or by someone other than for whom they were intended.
Check security measures
Police are reminding businesses to check their security measures after these recent burglaries.
- Valuable stock and medical products are locked away securely during closing hours.
- Burglar alarms are activated when the premises are unoccupied.
- Photographs of valuable or distinctive stock are taken to help trace items that may be reported stolen
- CCTV is installed and kept in good working order.
- Perimeters are secure. This includes checking entrances, exits and outbuildings are locked, and not storing tools or other items such as ladders in visible and accessible places where potential burglars could use them to force entry to premises.
- Property is marked and logged. Etching, engraving, electronic tagging, website registration and ultraviolet marking all assists police in tracing and recovering stolen goods, and apprehending those responsible.
- A minimum amount of cash is kept in the tills. Bank your till takings as regularly as possible.
- Any safe on your premises should be the correct size to store your cash securely.
- Register your property for free at www.immobilise.com
Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight District Chief Inspector Nick Heelan said:
“Police would like to thank members of the public who have provided information that has assisted officers in making an arrest, although no one has been charged to appear in court at this time.
“We are always mindful that certain security measures can seem expensive and impractical for businesses in the current financial climate. However, wherever possible and affordable, we would encourage managers and staff to check and reinforce crime prevention precautions on their premises.
“Dedicated officers with local knowledge will always seek to work closely with businesses to share information on suspicious behaviour so we can act swiftly to deter and catch criminals that threaten people’s livelihoods.”
Further crime prevention advice is available by phoning Hampshire Constabulary by phoning 101 or visiting www.hampshire.police.uk
Anyone with information about these burglaries can contact CID at Newport Police Station by phoning 101. Mini-com users can phone 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
