Burglaries in broad daylight

Fifty-one homes were burgled in Spelthorne between October 6 and November 2 compared with just 28 last October. Police say they are tackling the 'hotspot area' but only six of the 51 crimes have been solved.

Suki Sihra and husband Dalvinder had their home and cars in Town Lane, Stanwell targeted by thieves and burglars six times in 18 months and subsequently spent £4,000 on security measures including CCTV.

And while the family have not been hit since January, Suki feels she should not have had to fork out for cameras to keep her family safe.

She added: "We haven't had any break-ins since but it's a shame we had to go to extreme lengths to protect our home.

"It has cost me money out of my own pocket to get the additional security and I find it very difficult that the police haven't be able to track down anyone who did it. I'm glad my family is safer but it should be the police not me who are dealing with it."

Three homes in Exeford Avenue, Ashford were broken into during the day between September 18 and October 2 but police are keeping an open mind over whether they were linked.

Sarah Greenhalgh, the Spelthorne Neighbourhood Inspector, said the lead-up to Christmas traditionally saw an increase in burglaries but added that in the last six months there had only been a very small increase in break-ins year-on-year.

She added: "Obviously Surrey Police are doing their best to ensure the crime rates for all offences are reduced and we are not complacent or accepting of any increase in crime. However, in this context the figures remain broadly similar to those for the previous year."