AN ALADDIN’S cave of stolen goods was opened to the public at the weekend following a north-east crime wave.
Police are battling to stem a flood of thefts from homes and businesses across Peterhead. In the last few days, seven people have been arrested in connection with suspected dishonesty offences in the town.
And on Saturday, police took the unusual step of putting thousands of pounds’ worth of stolen goods on display in an attempt to reunite them with their owners.
It is believed to be the first time police in the north-east have held such an event.
The display, at the town’s former Buchanhaven community centre, was attended by more than 100 people, most of whom were the victims of recent raids.
Among the items, which were all recovered from one property, were eight flat-screen TVs, jewellery, clothing, games and toys.
Peterhead-based Sergeant Gilbert Buchan said the event had been a success and many items had been identified by their owners.
In one case, jewellery belonging to a local woman who had died recently was spotted by her father.
The owners will have to wait to get their goods back, however, as they are still being held as evidence pending future court proceedings.
Sgt Buchan said many people also came forward with new information about recent crimes, allowing police to pursue new lines of inquiry.
Several other visitors dropped in to get information and advice on securing their homes and other crime-prevention methods.
Sgt Buchan added: “We are well aware of the significant impact caused by crimes of this nature.”
The crackdown, part of the force’s national Operation Rac, coincides with a petition launched by Peterhead residents calling for more police cover in the town to deal with the alarming rise in break-ins.
The online petition, which said that locals were “living in fear”, raised more than 600 signatures in a matter of days.
A social networking group – Burglary Awareness Peterhead – was also established and has attracted more than 4,000 members. One woman who attended Saturday’s event said her garden shed had been broken into just before Christmas.
“The padlock was broken and some tools were taken,” she said. “I wasn’t too worried about the things they took, but it was the thought of somebody sneaking about outside my house that was really upsetting.”
The 57-year-old, who asked not to be named, said she did not find any of her items among the 100-plus productions on display.
Two people appeared in court last week in connection with the recovered items.
Egidijus Petrosius, 34, and Zivile Andrulyte or Petrosiene, 28, denied resetting goods stolen through housebreaking and other thefts.
The pair, both of 3C Leask Avenue, Peterhead, were released on bail. A trial has been scheduled for June.
Peterhead councillor Anne Allan welcomed the police progress. “This is an excellent example of intelligence-led policing resulting in the recovery of stolen property,” she said.
“I would encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity they see to the police, no matter how trivial it may seem.”
Mrs Allan, who is a member of the Buchan Community Safety Group, added: “Small pieces of information, when put together by the police, can lead to an arrest or recovery of property, so it’s always worth phoning with information.”
Anyone who was unable to attend Saturday’s event can request a viewing at the town’s police station.
Officers have urged anyone with information about recent offences to get in touch on 101.