Man arrested for string of robberies, burglaries in Dudley
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A man has been arrested and charged with over a dozen crimes, including robberies and burglaries, in Dudley borough since September, West Midlands Police said.
Matthew Lockley is charged with eight counts of robbery, two counts of burglary, and three instances of shoplifting. The 40-year-old was scheduled to appear in magistrates’ court on October 14.
Lockley adds to the growing list of individuals involved in a recent surge of robberies and burglaries in the area over the past six months.
Rampant offences
In another recent incident on August 9, tools, perfume, and money were stolen from a home in Stourbridge Road, Dudley. No one was hurt, and police released a picture of a man suspected of having a connection to the burglary.
Three weeks later, on August 30, police arrested an alleged car thief who attempted to flee police by garden hopping. Police spotted the car two minutes after it was taken and brought the man to custody.
Then, on September 3, police arrested six teenage girls near a Texaco garage on Wolverhampton Street in connection with a robbery by multiple people. Some suspects attempted to run, but all were apprehended.
Lastly is the latest arrest of an “armed and extremely dangerous” gang responsible for 17 offences, including aggravated and car burglaries in 2019 in Hagley and Romsley, near Stourbridge and Halesowen. Seven men, aged 19 to 25, were all found guilty of various offences, including burglary, aggravated burglary, and theft of motor vehicles.
Dudley crime rate
Dudley ranks as the third most unsafe major town in the West Midlands, making it one of the top 10 most dangerous locations out of the 44 towns, villages, and cities in the region.
It is among the top 20 most dangerous major towns and the 286th most unsafe location among all the towns, cities, and villages in broader England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In 2022, Dudley experienced a general crime rate of 138 incidents per 1,000 residents, marking an 11 percent increase over the West Midlands’ average rate of 124 per 1,000.
Particularly in July 2022, Dudley recorded 63 reported burglary cases. With a burglary rate of 0.74, it was the town with the highest burglary incidence among the major towns in the West Midlands for that month.
Staying safe in Dudley
Keeping your home secure in Dudley doesn’t just keep burglars at bay, as it also gives you peace of mind, whether you are home or not. This is especially important if you are a high-net-worth individual.
You can prevent burglary in your home by securing your doors and windows. Consider installing an automatic rim latch lock, a five-lever mortice deadlock, and a letterbox cage. A door chain can help homeowners screen callers, but avoid leaving it on all day so as not to hinder entry for family members or emergency services.
For the back door, you can also install a five-lever mortice deadlock. Lock any accessible windows, with keys stored securely but accessible in an emergency. Ensure all locks are approved by the Master Locksmith Association.
Security devices like automated outdoor lighting and burglar alarms can deter burglars and alert homeowners to intruders. Consider installing these devices, but seek expert advice from the Safer Neighbourhood Team or the Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station before buying an alarm.
If you are unsure about visiting your local police station for home security advice, you can opt for security agency services like Marengo. They can assess the security weaknesses in your property, create security plans, prepare the security devices, and implement them.
Sources:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/man-charged-after-spate-dudley-27913472
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/man-charged-crimes-including-robberies-112920111.html
https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/23734381.home-stourbridge-road-dudley-targeted-burglar/
