12:05pm Sunday 14th September 2008
By John Murphy
Gloucestershire police are issuing a warning on home security after an aid worker had a valuable laptop stolen.
Now 21-year-old Heather Bellchamber is appealing to the thieves that stole her laptop to return it as it contained precious journal entries and photos from her time working in Mozambique.
The black Hewlett Packard laptop was stolen during a burglary at Heather’s home on Gloucester Road, Cheltenham on Saturday, September 6 between 7.50pm and 10.30pm.
Heather spent time working with orphans in Mozambique and whilst there she had taken many photos of the friends she made during her visit. She is due to return to Africa in January to work with orphans who lost their parents to aids and is eager to see the lost files returned before she leaves.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the burglary, or anyone who thinks they may have been sold the laptop, to come forward.
The number of burglaries reported tend to increase during the autumn and winter months and as such Police are also urging residents to follow some simple security advice for their homes to help prevent these crimes.
Many such offences are committed by opportunist thieves making the most of insecure windows and doors. Always make sure doors are locked and windows shut even if you are just popping out for a short time. Also do this even if you are just in a different part of the property. It’s not unusual for thieves to steal items such as hand-bags from kitchens when the back door is left unlocked and the owner is upstairs.
Consider investing in window-locks and if you have deadlocks use them.
Never leave spare keys outside as thieves know all the hiding places. Keep keys inside the house and out of sight and reach of windows and letter-boxes.
If you are away from home during hours of darkness, use timers for lights and radios to give the impression someone is in.
Low cost timer switches, dusk to dawn light bulbs, door chains, shed alarms and other security equipment can be purchased through your local Crime Reduction Officer. They can also complete a home security survey for you giving further tips on simple steps you can take to make your property more secure. Contact them on 0845 090 1234.
Anyone with information about the stolen laptop is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 559 of September 6.
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