POLICE investigating a spate of break-ins in Aberdeenshire’s biggest town have arrested five people and recovered thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods.
Officers in Peterhead are taking action to battle a recent increase in thefts from homes and businesses throughout the town.
The crackdown comes as residents launch an online petition calling for extra police resources.
Yesterday, one couple appeared from custody at the town’s sheriff court in connection with a haul of electrical items, jewellery, sports equipment, tools and other goods uncovered by police at their home in Leask Avenue.
Egidijus Petrosius, 34, and Zivile Andrulyte or Petrosiene, 28, denied allegations that they reset the goods which had been stolen through housebreaking and other thefts.
The pair, both of 3C Leask Avenue, Peterhead, were released on bail following a brief appearance before Sheriff Lorna Drummond. A trial has been scheduled for June.
In a separate incident three men – aged 45, 22 and 19 – were arrested in connection with housebreaking and possession of stolen property. It followed an investigation into an alleged break-in at a town centre businesses.
The trio are expected to appear in court later this week.
Two other men appeared in court last week. They denied accusations of being near private homes with the intention of stealing.
The arrests were made by local officers as part of a nationwide crackdown on housebreaking, known as Operation Rac.
Last night, police in Peterhead said they had recovered so many stolen goods they were planning to put them on display during an open day this weekend in the hope that they can be re-united with their owners.
Among the items recovered by investigators from one house were eight flat screen televisions, several bags of tools and valuable jewellery. Peterhead-based Inspector Andy Imray said it was unclear what had caused the increase in offending, but pledged that his team were on top of it.
“Whilst this is an ongoing situation, we are taking every opportunity presented to us to bring those responsible to justice, stop or curtail their criminal activity and ultimately make the area safer,” he said.
“What we have found during our inquiries is that a lot of suspicious activity isn’t being reported to us,” he said.
“We are often told about strange goings-on – lots of people coming in and out of a property, for example – but only after the event.
“These things need to be reported to us,” he said. “Without such information, we miss opportunities to recover stolen property and deal with those involved.”
Last week, Peterhead businesswoman Kayleigh Taylor set up an online petition calling for extra police cover. It claimed that residents were “living in fear” and scared to leave their homes unoccupied.
In just a matter of days, more than 600 people have signed the petition, which calls on the Scottish Government to increase resources.