Detectives are welcoming the sentencing of two men to more than 12 years in prison for multiple burglary offences today.
31-year-old Patrick Symes was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit burglary
30-year-old Lewis Smith was sentenced to 2 years 3 months in prison for conspiracy to commit burglary
The sentencing follows an investigation into a series of burglaries in the Merseyside area between October 2018 and February 2019, including areas of Liverpool and Sefton, in which cash and jewellery were targeted. Extensive enquiries led to the arrest and charge of Symes and Smith, who pleaded guilty to offences.
Speaking after the case, Detective Constable John Neville said: “It is satisfying to see Symes and Smith removed from the streets for the foreseeable future. They are two offenders who targeted homes in the early evening hours in autumn and winter months. Symes would use garden implements found at the location or nearby to force into home and steal cash and jewellery.
“The impact on victims of burglary can be immense, with people left feeling distressed, insecure and unsafe in their own homes. Successful investigations like this have an equally significant and positive impact on the communities. We remain committed to finding the people responsible and bringing them to justice.
“Operation Castle is our ongoing response to burglary offences across Merseyside and was set up to pursue and put before the courts anyone suspected of being involved in burglary offences in our communities. Since we began, offenders have been sentenced to more than 300 years in prison, and burglary offences dropped by 18.9% across Merseyside in 2019. It’s thanks to information provided by those communities affected that we can record such results.
“I would ask if you see or hear anyone acting suspiciously close to homes or businesses, let us know and we will keep taking positive action to bring offenders to justice.”
Advice on how to keep your valuable safe and secure; marking your property to deter burglars, and a checklist when leaving the home can be found here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/