Holiday home warning after Hope Valley break-ins

In recent weeks, thieves have broken into a number of holiday homes across the area.

The most recent break-in happened in Edale between the afternoon of Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7. Valuables including television sets were taken from that property.

Hope Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team want holiday home owners to make sure their properties are alarmed in an effort to protect them from burglars.

PC Graham Mason, from the team, said: “Vacancies at holiday homes are often advertised online and this can give criminals an idea of when they might be empty.

“It’s absolutely vital that people take as many steps as they can to properly secure their homes, especially if they are vacant for a while.

“We’re increasing our patrols to catch offenders and speaking to people about home security kit they can buy, such as proper alarms, door chimes and property marking gear.

“We also need people to report suspicious behaviour to us as soon as it happens. If someone is snooping around a property near you and it doesn’t feel right, tell us straight away; it might stop a crime before it happens.”

To help combat burglaries in the area, Hope Valley SNT will be heading out over the next two weeks on a crime prevention tour.

Officers will be offering bike and property marking, home security visits and SmartWater kits that people can use to mark their belongings with a UV fluid, which will then link any stolen property back to its owner.

The mobile police station will be at the following locations:

Edale’s main car park, from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, June 16;

Castleton village main car park, 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, June 18;

Hope village car park, 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, June 23;

Brentwood Road, Bamford, from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, June 15.

PC Mason added: “We hope to see plenty of people at all of those roadshows. It only takes a few minutes to receive some quality, practical advice but it could save you or a neighbour from becoming a victim of crime.”

For more information or to speak to an officer about crimes, contact the team on 101. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.