Plaistow man walks into burglar in his own home

A man who was working upstairs in his house unexpectedly bumped into a burglar leaving one of his bedrooms.

The 39-year-old man was busy working on his computer from his home in Humberstone Road, Plaistow, at around 1pm on Thursday August 22 when he suddenly heard voices outside his front door.

He made his way downstairs to open it and find out who his surprise visitors but, when he reached the hallway, he met an intruder coming out of the front bedroom.

Shocked, the man shouted at the burglar who ran out of the property and down the road empty-handed.

Crime prevention Design Advisor PC Andy Whitfield said: “Many burglaries happen because criminals see easy opportunities to enter homes.

“Newham police would like to remind householders of the following crime prevention advice to protect their property against burglary.”

• Keep front, patio and back doors closed and locked when you are elsewhere in the house or the garden.

• Ensure that all windows and external doors are not only closed but locked at night or when you are out of the house.

• Remember to close downstairs windows when leaving a room, to deter the opportunist thief.

• Fit good locks to doors and use them.

• Have window locks a fitted to older window.

• Fit and use a door chain.

• Change locks when you move into a new home.

• Fit a good quality alarm from a reputable supplier.

• Do not hide spare keys; leave them with someone you trust.

• Find out about property marking schemes such as Smartwater here. If an item is marked it will be much harder for a thief to sell on. Also, if recovered, stolen items can then be returned to their rightful owner.

• Install external lights.

• To give the impression that someone is in, set lights on a timer switch.

• Don’t leave your curtains closed during the day. If timers are not available, leave a light on if going out at night, and draw curtains/blinds.

• Keep all keys away from windows and external doors so they are not visible/accessible to an opportunist thief.

• Leave a television or radio on to create the impression that someone is in.

• A visible burglar alarm can also act as an deterrent.

• Look out for your neighbours’ property if they are away for a few days. .

If you have any information relating to a crime contact your local Safer Neighborhood Policing Team or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

To report a crime to police, please call 101. In an emergency, please dial 999.