A gang of burglars from Manchester has been jailed for over 21 years for carrying out a series of 12 high-value burglaries in Cheshire. The gang targeted affluent areas and homes in Prestbury, Wilmslow, Goostrey, Alderley Edge, Over Peover, and Thelwall between February and June 2022.

The gang of four men and one woman mainly targeted unoccupied houses while their owners were on holiday, stealing high-value items like watches, cash, jewellery, handbags, and cars. They then used false number plates to drive the stolen vehicles to Birmingham, where the gang sold them through criminal associates.

In June 2022, the gang was caught when blood belonging to gang member Ryan Beevers (34) was found at a burgled address. Beevers was arrested at his home, where police found many high-value stolen items. His partner, Lyndsey Entwistle (48), was also arrested at the same address.

Police later identified other gang members from mobile phones seized during the raid. William Bate (44) and Jonathan Bruton (33) were arrested in raids on July 28, 2022. Meanwhile, Caine McConville (25) managed to evade the police until he was arrested on October 28, 2022. 

All five members pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, with some receiving additional charges, including Conspiracy to Convert / Conceal Criminal Property, Dangerous Driving, and Handling Stolen Goods.

“The impact of their crime spree should not be underestimated. To know that somebody has targeted your home – a place you should feel safe in, is sickening,” Detective Constable Rebecca Smith said following the sentencing.

“All the offenders are now facing the consequences of their actions. I hope that this outcome provides some comfort and reassurance to the victims following their ordeal.”

Detective Sergeant Angela Coppock of Macclesfield CID said that Cheshire has one of the highest rates of burglary charges in England and Wales. These cases can have a significant emotional impact on homeowners, often lasting much longer than the financial impact.

“I hope this conviction goes as a warning to criminals who are looking to come to Cheshire that in policing there are no borders,” said Detective Sergeant Coppock.

Preventing burglaries in affluent areas

According to Statista, there were 275,919 burglaries in England and Wales in 2022/23, a slight decrease from the previous year. Cheshire Police data released on January 26, 2023, also shows a 2.4 percent decrease in overall burglaries, with a 5.2 percent decrease in residential burglaries.

Despite that, keeping residences safe at all times is paramount, especially for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). There are multiple ways to do it. 

One way to protect a residence is to install a perimeter security system. This system can include CCTV cameras and a closed-network alarm system. You can also install door and window contacts and window film to prevent shattering.

Security agencies like Marengo can also offer extra protection you might need. They can employ internal and external patrols and close protection officers to keep you safe. They can also implement the right security procedures, execute immediate action plans, and liaise with emergency services, depending on the needs of your residence.