South Shields couple burgled nine times in two years - with thieves stealing £30,000 worth from property

Peter and Pat Lincoln say scrap metal amounting to about £30,000 has been stolen from their property on Cheshire Grove, South Shields.

Peter, 59, a self-employed heating and plumbing engineer, keeps scrap metal before taking it to be recycled.

However, in the last two years items such as old boilers and copper pipes have gone missing in the middle of the day.

Around four weeks ago a copper cylinder was taken and on Thursday, November 14 the couple’s shed was broken into, with two brand new boilers stolen worth £5,000.

The couple, who have lived on Cheshire Grove for six years after both losing their previous partners to cancer, have even resorted to having CCTV installed – but no one has ever been caught.

“The fact that we feel like they are watching the property and watching what we're doing is scary. We don’t feel safe here anymore, we’re just waiting for them to come back, ” said Pat, 58, a counsellor.

“It's not so much about what's been taken, it's the fact that they think they can just come onto the property in broad daylight.

“We’ve worked really hard to get where we are, and then to have this, it’s been really tough.”

Despite reporting the incidents to the police each time, they don’t believe it has been taken seriously.

“We just feel really let down, like we’ve been forgotten,” added Pat.

Police are investigating the incident and have asked people to report anything suspicious in the area.

Sergeant Angela Lewis, of Northumbria Police, said: "On November 15, we received a report of a burglary at an address on Cheshire Grove, South Shields.

"A high-value boiler and a quantity of copper were stolen from an outbuilding of a premises on the day before. An investigation is ongoing to trace those responsible.

"Burglary is such an emotive crime which can have a long-lasting effect on victims and the wider community. As a result, we are committed to bringing offenders to justice and are working with the victims to help prevent any further crimes from taking place.

"We have increased patrols in the surrounding area and would ask the public to work with us and report anything suspicious so we can respond in a robust manner. Anyone with concerns is asked to call 101."

Ward councillor for Horsley Hill and leader of South Tyneside Council, Iain Malcolm said: “It's always disappointing to hear about issues like this in any area and I really do feel for these residents.

“Chief superintendent Sarah Pitt has assured me that officers will go out and discuss the matter with Mr and Mrs Lincoln and I have asked that if they feel there is anything tangible that the council can do to help practically, such as installing additional lighting or fencing, to get in touch with me.”