March 10, 2014 4.21 pm This story is over 119 months old

Reward offered for Lincolnshire burglars

£1k for each offender: Crimestoppers are offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of two prolific burglars operating in Lincolnshire.

Crimestoppers are offering two £1,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest of two prolific burglars from Barnsley.

The rewards are for Stephen Russell Berry, aged 43, and Stephen Michael Shaw, aged 41, both from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, who are believed to be prolific burglars in several areas including Lincolnshire.

The pair have stolen thousands of pounds worth of property from around 30 burglaries.

In one of the burglaries, a 93-year-old woman was asleep in her bed when she was awoken by a torch shining in her bedroom.

She noticed the two men in her room, with one searching through her bedside drawers. She shouted at the offenders and they ran away.

However, she found they had taken jewellery and her handbag. The offence has left the lady terrified.

Crimestoppers will give the £1,000 reward per offender for information passed to the charity’s 0800 555 111 number only, that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Gemma Wilson, Crimestoppers Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Manager, said: “Stephen Berry and Stephen Shaw are believed to be responsible for a huge number of crimes.

“Burglary is terribly distressing for victims as it can make people afraid to be in their own homes as well as immensely upset at the loss of belongings; particularly when family heirlooms and other items of great sentimental value are taken.

“Crimestoppers would urge anyone with information to contact the charity anonymously, safe in the knowledge that no one will ever know you contacted us.”