Thieves have been stripping lead off roofs, breaking into garages and vehicles and making off with valuable loot in a surge of crime across Abergavenny.

Police have been dealing with a sharp spike in thefts, with thieves targeting work vans, burgling a garage, breaking into a local optician’s, stealing a motorbike, and pilfering lead from a local home.

One local man had his house stripped of lead last week, with thieves lifting over £800-worth of the metal from the roof.

Christopher Copner, an accountant and ice cream man, said he reported the theft at his Chapel Road home last Wednesday, after waking up and noticing the lead had gone missing. ?

Thieves also broke into five work vans in just one night last week. Three different tradesmen reported finding their vehicles smashed into and items stolen. One man had a power generator and drill stolen.

Another incident saw a garage in Abergavenny broken into as thieves stole a number of tools including three drills, a transformer, a whacker plate, a petrol strimmer, and leaf blower and a white mountain bike.

Police also warned Llanfoist residents to be vigilant after a van was broken into overnight on Sunday this week.

A Honda City Fly motorbike was reported stolen from the Underhill Crescent area of Abergavenny, late last week, police are also busy investigating a break-in at Fulgoni Optometrists, on Cross Street, after the owners reported the overnight burglary on September 1.

Local Inspector Arwel Hicks said, “We will continue to monitor crimes, incidents and trends in the area and will always ensure that policing levels are proportionate to the current level of the offences in the area. We rely on the community to report incidents to us and tell us of any concerns so we can ensure we correctly target our resources. We will continue to work closely with partners including the local authority, to ensure our communities are kept as safe as possible and feel reassured.  

“I would also remind residents to lock all window and doors of not only their homes but their cars and businesses and not to take any chances with leaving their vehicles or properties insecure after a number of breaks in the area,” he said.

Inspector Hicks added that his officers have a number of cases to work through.

“On Friday, September 1, it was reported to us the local opticians on Cross Street was burgled, the offender caused a small amount of damage to the door of the premises before making off with pairs of sunglasses, £20 from the cash float and a charity box. At this time my officers are continuing their enquiries including house-to-house, along with exploring any CCTV opportunities.

“We have also had a few van breaks in the area where high power tools were stolen.

“I would advise drivers to remain vigilant and remove expensive tools at the end of each day, hide any valuables out of sight or if possible don’t leave them in the vehicle at all. It’s also a good idea to property mark your tools and equipment, so that if they are recovered they can be traced back to you.

“On August 23, a lead theft was reported in Stanhope Street. Officers have attended the scene, pursued numerous CCTV opportunities along with house-to-house enquires.  At this time, the offender remains unidentified but if anyone does have any information please call us.

 “We also had a theft of motorbike from Underhill Crescent, however, there was no CCTV available, but we are looking to now put a picture of the bike out across our social media pages along with stolen marks on the number plate.

“We understand these types of crimes can have a detrimental impact of the community and we are actively seeking to take action against those responsible.

 “We are currently investigating each reported crime and our enquiries are ongoing. We have increased our patrols but I also want remind residents to double check their security and to please continue to report any suspicious activity immediately by calling Gwent Police on 101 or if you see a crime taking place, call 999.”