Police investigating Low Fell burglaries 'keeping an open mind' over potential links as another premises targeted
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveNorthumbria Police are "keeping an open mind" that a burglary at another business in Low Fell could be linked to others which have plagued the area recently.
Police were called to Beacon Lough Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with reports that an offender smashed a glass door, entered abuilding and took cash. It follows a spate of burglaries at independent premises in the Gateshead suburb, with several targeted last weekend on Beaconsfield Road, Durham Road and Kells Lane.
Two men, aged 41 and 43, were arrested in connection with last weekend's burglaries and have since been bailed. Northumbria Police have confirmed that they are considering that the burglaries are linked, but no arrests have been made following the latest alleged break-in.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 5.15am on Wednesday, we received a report of a burglary at a premises on Beacon Lough Road in the Gateshead area. It was reported that an offender smashed a glass door to gain entry to the premises before stealing a quantity of cash and leaving the scene.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us by sending a direct message on social media or by using the live chat function on our website. You can also use the report forms on our website.
"If you are unable to contact the Force in these ways, please call 101. Please quote crime reference number 137381R/24."
The force spokesperson added: "We are aware of a number of recent burglary reports in the Low Fell area of Gateshead. We are currently keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked."
Gateshead and Whickham MP Mark Ferguson told Parliament on Wednesday he was "absolutely disgusted" by the spate of burglaries in Low Fell. He asked policing minister Dame Diana Johnson MP how the Government's new package of reforms will tackle high street crime.
Dame Diana replied: "Our package of measures will deal with antisocial behaviour, put in place the neighbourhood policing guarantee, allow new prosecutions under the legislation we will introduce about assaults on retail workers, and get rid of the £200 threshold for shop theft cases to go forward.
"One approach will not solve the problems, so we will ensure we have a whole package of measures to make high streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and to allow businesses to thrive. We need businesses to thrive so that they can pay their taxes, and we can invest that money back into public services."
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