And of the 29 offences committed in the area, 23 have now been detected.

Chief Insp Mick Lillico, of the force’s Gateshead Area Command, said: “Last summer there was a spate of offences in the area, the bulk of which related to allotment sheds. The Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by 24/7 response officers, pro-actively targeted the area.

“This resulted in the arrest of two local men. Each were charged with five offences with a further 20 being taken in to consideration. They appeared at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court on July 25 where they received a Community Order.

“The area command has continued the focus and this year has reduced shed burglaries by 35%. In the area where the shed burglaries occurred last summer offences have reduced by 21%.”

People living on Ventnor Gardens were stunned to discover their area topped the table for burglaries in all streets in the North East.''- http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/cops-snare-shed-allotment-raiders-7234369

''Police are warning residents in Gateshead to lock their doors and be on the look out for opportunist burglars.

The advice comes after a number of recent incidents in the Low Fell area where homeowners have disturbed intruders inside their properties.

In the last week there has been four reports of intruders being caught inside homes in the Grisedale Gardens and Appleby Gardens areas.

In all of the instances the offenders have managed to sneak into properties through unlocked doors, and although nothing was stolen in any of them officers are urging the public to lock their door and help keep burglars and thieves out.

Extra patrols are being carried out across the Low Fell area and officers are posting crime prevention leaflets through peoples' doors warning them about the recent incidents and advising them on what they can do to avoid becoming a victim to opportunist criminals.'' - http://www.northumbria.police.uk/your_neighbourhood/central_area_command/gateshead/south_gateshead/news-detail/?pageId=43519