Yesterday RUDDINGTON.info reported the latest Rushcliffe Police crime figures for our village – which indicated a high number of thefts of, and from, vehicles in Ruddington in late January.
This is a trend which officers say has continued into February.
Local police posted this new warning on their Facebook page: “Sadly Ruddington has been targeted again for thefts from motor vehicles over the weekend period, we as the police are keen to catch the culprit for this and will be completing patrols accordingly. The streets targeted this time are Woodhouse Gardens, Martin Crescent, Bradbury Gardens, Churchill Drive, Camelot Street and Westerham Road and Brettsil Drive we are appealing for any witness or properties that may have CCTV to check it and get in touch if they see anyone suspicious on their footage. We believe this time that the suspect may have been using a bike.”
Since then, in the early hours of this morning, vehicles on Musters Road were similarly targeted – and resident Adam Wilkinson captured the CCTV footage {below – with sound!} at 3.31am. It’s what appears to be a young opportunist, with face covered, brazenly trying car doors on both sides of the street, including Adam’s, on the off-chance they’d accidentally been left unlocked overnight. It seems the suspected thief did manage to gain access to some of the vehicles during the unwelcome visit to our village – though that was not caught on film today.
Adam told us: “No bike, on foot and alone. Noisy footsteps too – hardly a ninja!” Donna Morley added: “My daughter was walking our dog this morning and saw a lovely lady all upset – so she ran home and got her dad who called the police.”
Cat Pickup revealed: “Our car was taken from Churchill Drive. We’re absolutely devastated. I hope they find the culprit. We also have cctv from a neighbour across the street. You can’t see much of the guy – but you can see our car being driven away!” Police have not yet said whether they think today’s and the weekend offences were committed by the same individual(s).
If you think you might know the person in the footage – or have captured any clearer CCTV images that might help – you’re asked to get in touch with the Nottinghamshire Police local beat team on 101 ext 3189966 – or email Rushcliffe.southnpa@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk.
If you’d prefer not to speak directly to the police, you can always contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 instead.
UPDATE 24th FEB:
Police report: “A positive result as the suspect believed responsible for the autocrime across the Ruddington area has been located and arrested. He is currently on remand for other matters.”
