Burglars target newly-built homes (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire police investigating break-ins at new houses in Eastleigh and Hedge End

12:59pm Monday 31st December 2012 in Eastleigh

KITCHEN appliances and tools have been stolen in a series of at least nine break-ins at newly built Hampshire homes.

Police are now appealing for help following the burglaries, in Eastleigh and Hedge End.

On December 18 the owner of a newly-built house on the Bargate Homes site at Allbrook Hill, Eastleigh, discovered whilst on a visit before moving that it had been broken into and a white Bosch washing machine taken.

Similar burglaries have also been discovered at nearby sites between December 16 and last Friday. Steel containers at the Allbrook Hill site at Pitmore Road were broken into and £350-worth of tools stolen.

In Hedge End, three unoccupied new-build properties on the Barratt Homes site at Park View were burgled over the weekend of December 15 and 16, in which three silver Electrolux oven and hob units were taken.

Two oven and hob units were also stolen from the Minchim Acres building site.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious people, vehicles or activity in any of the areas to get in touch.

Officers say they are particularly interested in the Barratt Homes site at Hedge End, where the affected properties face onto a pathway which crosses the estate and is used regularly by other residents and dog walkers.

They also want to hear from anyone who has been offered any electrical items matching the descriptions of the stolen goods within the last few weeks.

Anyone with information should call Police Staff Investigator Jackie Little at Eastleigh on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.