August 28, 2020 4.03 pm This story is over 43 months old

Two arrested over spate of Gainsborough burglaries

10 burglaries targeting the elderly
Photo: Emily Norton for Lincolnshire Reporter

A man and a woman have been arrested after a spate of 10 burglaries in Gainsborough where people’s homes were snuck into over the last month whilst the residents were relaxing or watching television.

Lincolnshire Police said a series of burglaries targeting elderly and vulnerable residents took place in Aisby Walk, Middlefield Lane, Stirling Close, The Walk, Claremont Road, Pingle Close, Elsham Walk, Ravendale and two in Newlands. Victims have typically been aged between 60 and 80-years-old, but two were in their 90s.

Officers investigating initially said they believed the crimes may have been committed by just one individual who was targeting insecure windows and doors.

A man in his 20s was arrested in connection with these burglaries and has since been released under investigation.

A 36-year-old woman was arrested for assisting the man and has also been released under investigation.

Cash and jewellery are the most common items to have been stolen, but a television was also taken. Most of these burglaries happened between the hours of 6pm and midnight while the properties were occupied.

A robbery also occurred in Gainsborough at 10.50pm on Tuesday, August 25 where a man threatened a 59-year-old woman on Turpin Close. He then left the scene with a handbag containing a purse, but the female victim was not injured.

Henry Smith, 25, of Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and robbery.

He appeared before Lincoln Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28. He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on September 25.

Inspector for Gainsborough Gail Hurley said: “When someone is released under investigation this means we have the opportunity to build evidence before consulting the Crown Prosecution Service who advise if a person should be charged with offences.

“Different departments can be involved in this process including officers from CID and we don’t leave any stone unturned.

“We will provide a further update over these particular incidents and hope this reassures that we are working hard to protect you.”