Violent armed burglar repeatedly targets Kingsway area

Burglar (stock image)

A brazen, violent armed burglar has repeatedly targeted streets in the Kingsway area and local residents are now urging others to be extremely vigilant.

A local woman has been targeted by the burglar twice in a number of weeks after he broke into her home. She fears she may be targeted again if she is identified.

She explained: “He was in my house for 40 minutes the first time, and he heard us whilst we were calling the police.

“There’s been other residents who have been targeted who haven’t reported it to the police for various reasons. From the CCTV I’ve been shown, he’s very blasé. He’s tried shops on Woodbine Street East, and homes on Buersil Avenue, Kings Road and Percy Street.

“He seems to be an opportunist. He came back last Friday and my neighbour heard him. He came out to investigate and came face-to-face with the criminal, who didn’t seem bothered. He threatened to kill my neighbour, who got a good look at him.

“We’ve all been struggling to sleep since.”

Resident Nathan Tordoff said: “We have had problems in the Kingsway area for weeks now and no police presence at all; let's start communicating with those that work all week and pay our taxes.”

Speaking after a police warning to be vigilant was issued in Healey, Kingsway resident Daniel Hodgkinson said: “It would be nice if the police also issued a warning to the residents of Kingsway on the huge amount of break ins and attempted break ins by the same suspect who is armed with a knife.”

The woman added: “The lack of communication within the station is staggering, let alone the failure to communicate with the front response officers during briefing before each shift. The officers attending had no idea that Kingsway is a hotspot right now, and there’s a growing number of victims. I would like to point out though that the officers dealing with the case have been exemplary; they want to see this man caught and genuinely care.

“This dangerous man is still at large and I witnessed him slash a neighbour’s coat on one of the two occasions when we were close to apprehending him.

"Many of the residents here are awake at night, scared to sleep. My girls are petrified. Our work and home lives are disrupted and we are suffering extreme tiredness. Since I have seen him, I’m scared he’ll recognise me and come back.

“The residents of Kingsway are distributing information about as many breaks or attempted breaks as possible, and the officers have mentioned it’s the same offender, after looking at the CCTV. Residents in our area haven’t even had a warning and we can’t knock on every single door.

“If I can stop this brazen criminal targeting one more person, then it’s worth it.”