Man,19,in court charged with number of burglaries in Wisbech area - the suspect was caught by officers on ‘burglary patrol’ in the town

A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of burglaries in the Wisbech area over the past week.

Jesse Gray, 19, of Kinderley Road, Wisbech, was arrested in Ramnoth Road in the early hours of Saturday (July 13) by officers who were patrolling the area in response to recent burglaries.

He has been charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of assault by beating and one count of using abusive/threatening/insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was remanded to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court this afternoon (Monday 15 July).

Anyone with information about burglary should call police on 101 or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For online burglary prevention advice visit: www.cambs.police.uk/A-Z/Burglary.

The arrest came 48 hours after police had issued a warning to householders in Wisbech to take extra precautions following a spate of burglaries in the past two months.

The arrest was announced by police with a short statement declaring 'Wisbech burglaries- good news'.

A police spokesman said: "Officers have been working hard throughout the day and tonight have charged a male with a number of burglaries."

The announcement followed a press release two days ago in which police revealed the extent of the burglaries across Wisbech.

Police revealed that intruders had forced rear doors and windows or smashed windows and ransacked properties, stealing jewellery, laptops, iPhones, bank cards and cash.

Detective Sergeant Shishminder Thind said: "Burglary is a priority for the force and we are using all tactics available to us to catch those responsible for these offences.

"In some instances offenders have forced entry but we have also seen a number of offences where entry has been made through unlocked patio doors and windows. I urge all residents to take precautions where they can and check their home security, especially when out of the house."

Police have retained their advice to residents on their website, urging people to always keep doors and windows closed and locked or in a ventilated but locked position, even when they are inside the house.

Police say it is always best to check and lock doors with a key - never assume that just pushing up an internal handle will lock the door.

Other tips too were posted with one suggesting that "a visible intruder alarm box can prove to be one of the biggest deterrents to an opportunist burglar, so consider installing a DIY or supplier installed system."

If anyone has any information you should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.