Portchester residents report £200 taken from vehicle during a spate of thefts

Three vehicles were broken into in Dore Avenue in the early hours of both Monday and Tuesday.

Police have confirmed just one incident but residents say there have been more.

CCTV captured by a resident of the street shows three men attempting to gain entry to several vehicles and garages on Monday at 4.30am when a Ford Ranger was targeted.

A resident of Dore Avenue, who asked not to be named, said: ‘The police have said they think they know who is behind it – they just have to catch them in the act.

‘My neighbour had his Ford Ranger broken into – they left his laptop but took bag of change. They took about £200 worth of cash.

‘I’ve heard that they were out last night. The police were called at 1.30am and the neighbours scared them off.’

Residents are concerned crime has increased in the area since last April, when Hampshire County Council began turning off street lighting between 1am and 4am as a cost-cutting measure.

Last year saw a similar spate of residential and vehicle break-ins, with 12 cars and homes being targeted.

The scaffolder said: ‘I have seen an increase in crime since they have been switched off – I would rather pay more for the lights to be kept on.

‘How long before (the thieves) break into someone’s house?

‘It makes you anxious. I cannot sleep – I’d be out there all night waiting for them if I could.’

Police have been made aware of a Ford Fiesta being targeted.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We have received a report of a three people in dark clothing accessing a Ford Fiesta in Dore Avenue at around 4.30am on April 27.

‘We also received a third hand report that a van was also accessed by a group of people in the same street at around the same time.

Nothing was reported as being taken from the vehicle.’

Anyone with information about the crimes are asked to call 101 quoting the reference 44200147992.

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