A SIXTEEN-year-old girl was one of two suspects arrested for burglary following a house raid near Upton.

A 19-year-old male and 16-year-old female were arrested on Tuesday following a house burglary in Little Clevelode, near Upton, West Mercia Police has revealed.

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A senior detective, based at Worcester Police Station, in Castle Street, has spoken more generally about the 'horrific' impact of burglary and how people can help police - and themselves - to reduce their risk of becoming the next victims. 

Both suspects were from the Solihull area and were arrested following a burglary which took place at the end of July.

Now detectives, who have made a string of arrests for burglary across Worcester, Malvern, Pershore and Evesham in the last few weeks, are calling on the public's help to make things even more difficult for burglars as the nights draw in and homes become potentially more vulnerable to this type of attack.

DI Dave Knight, South Worcestershire Offender Management and Proactive CID, said: "They have been released on bail to allow for further evidence gathering.

"We do all we can through partnership work with our community safety partners, as well as proactive targeted patrols, and intelligence development to make South Worcestershire a tricky area for any would-be burglars.

"As the nights draw in we always see an increase in burglaries happening around sundown as burglars target homes where lights are not coming on.

"This can be easily remedied through timer lights. Burglaries are horrific crimes that leave victims feeling unsafe in their own homes. Help us to protect all of you from this crime.

"Please report any suspicious activity to us, as well as any information on who may be handling stolen property. Anything being sold that appears very cheap is likely to be stolen. West Mercia Police work for you to bring offenders to justice and keep you safe. We can’t do this without you helping us."

Earlier this month we reported how suspected house burglars were arrested after an attack on a distraught woman in her own home by men wielding knives.

Worcester detectives have also recovered high-value items, including a top-of-the-range BMW stolen in an aggravated car key burglary and jewellery of sentimental value. 

DS Grant Fraser, based at Worcester Police Station, who is tasked with investigating these crimes together with his team, has spoken of the impact burglary has on victims. 

Describing one of the offences in Evesham, he said: "A female was assaulted in her own home after suspects carrying knives have entered the premises. This was obviously unexpected and extremely distressing for her.

"It is a testament to the quick work of all involved that offenders were identified, located and arrested quickly."

Over recent weeks officers have been locating and arresting those offenders who pose the most significant risk to the public, he says.

Several people have been arrested in connection with a series of ongoing burglary investigations across Worcestershire, some involving aggravated burglary.

DS Fraser said work involved capturing criminals travelling into the area to commit house burglaries.

DS Fraser: “Having your home broken into is extremely impactive and distressing for the victims.

"As a police service we can never guarantee the recovery of stolen property, but we will always strive to identify those responsible and bring them to justice, whilst trying to ensure that victims get the help and support they need to continue to feel safe in their own homes.

"Tracking down cross border criminals is often difficult, but the results over recent weeks have been down to the combined efforts of multiple teams across both West Mercia Police and other UK Police Services.”