Bolton: Vandals steal from Astley Bridge household for third time

Robyn Jade, says vandals stole her car on Friday, May 27, along with jewellery, her purse, cards, and driving licence.

This has now left her 'feeling unsafe' in her own home.

She told The Bolton News that vandals used a weapon to break the padlock to the back gate to get in the garden, taking the lock out of the back door before making their way inside her house.

Robyn said: “My neighbour banged on my door at 3am, whilst on the phone to the police, telling me my car had gone, and that they had seen men wearing balaclavas.

“My car has been stolen, as well as my purse, cards and driving licence.

“But worse of all, the disgusting, vile low lives have used something on the padlock to the back gate to get in the garden.

Locks broken as vandals entered home whilst Robyn slept

“They took my lock out of the back door somehow and were in my house whilst we were upstairs in bed.

“To say we are absolutely gutted, scared, and so upset, is an understatement.

“We are so glad the dogs didn’t wake up and go down, as who knows what would have happened.

“I have worked all my life and never been in trouble, but we have been targeted.”

Although Robyn says that police acted quickly, she says police were not able to take her statement until a few days after the incident.

She added: “I’m not one to slate emergency services as it must be hard, but the treatment and lack of care we have had from them throughout this nightmare has been absolutely disgraceful, we feel so let down.”

This is not the first time this has happened to Robyn.

In April her partner's car was broken into twice, where his wallet, and coat were stolen, as well as his bank cards used to buy things.

She said on the second break in she witnessed it out of her window, and she was ‘scared for her life, thinking they might come back’.

She says that the case has now been closed after this took place in April, even after she emphasised that she ‘doesn’t feel safe in her own home’.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We always strive to place victim care at the heart of everything we do and we apologise to any victims of crime who feel that they have not received the standard of service they rightly deserve from GMP.

Vandals damaged locks to enter home

“Whenever we fall short of expectations it is important it is reported so we can take appropriate action wherever necessary.

“Complaints can be made via our website here: Thanks and complaints | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk).”

Robyn has said that police issued her with a leaflet, for residents who have been burgled, and advised them to call a locksmith and to buy a ring doorbell.

She added: “I cannot stress enough that you need to make your homes as secure as you possibly can.

“These low lives are very clever, taking part of my door with them so forensics cannot trace what tools have been used, coming in the house whilst we slept in bed.

“We didn’t hear a thing and we have two dogs.

“We have barely slept thinking they are coming back, as this is the third time.

“They have been watching our home and we have been targeted.

“You think it won’t happen to you, but it definitely can, and we don’t want anyone else to go through this, so just please secure your homes.”

Robyn has asked for residents to look out for her stolen vehicle, which is a five door black Vauxhall Corsa, registration - MM14 HKG.

Police have recently stepped up patrols in Astley Bridge following a spate of criminal activity.

Police step up patrol in Astley Bridge after spate of crimes

Officers are patrolling in  unmarked cars or plain clothes in order to try and tackle the issue, which is concentrated in the area of Hawarden Street.

Police are appealing to the public to report any incidents to them so that they can more effectively fight crime.