Callous crooks ransack home

Helen McLaren arrived home from work last Wednesday 
afternoon to find they had 
broken into her house in Birnam Avenue.

The thieves made off with a digital photo frame, a laptop, ipod, a range of jewellery 
and other personal items.

They even used Helen’s kitchen knives to slice 
open two charity tins with cash in aid of sick children at Yorkhill Hospital.

The resident, who is 
in her 40s, told the Herald 
the crafty crooks used equipment to remove the barrel of the lock in her kitchen door to gain entry. Helen, who has now had the security in her home 
upgraded, wants to warn 
other people to be on their guard against the practice.

She said: “The whole door lock barrel had been taken straight out. I would urge people to beware of this and get new locks fitted.”

She added: “I am devastated. The place was a mess. They had strewn things all over my bedroom floor, including a box full of old photos, looking for stuff to steal. It’s a horrible feeling to think strangers have been in your home.

“A laptop and ipod you can replace but the digital frame had a usb with family photos on it. That’s no use to them but it’s invaluable to me. The jewellery was also gifts I also can’t believe they sliced open the charity tins. I had been raising money for Yorkhill.”

A house in Muirpark Drive was also broken into around 2.30pm on the same day.

Police told the Herald they want to trace a man who was acting suspiciously in the 
vicinity of Birnam Avenue 
and Muirpark Drive on Wednesday, June 3.

He has been described as around 40-50 years old, wearing a dark t-shirt and a yellow hi-visibility vest.

A police spokesman warned people to be extra vigilant and make sure their property is secure.

Locksmith Paul Conagham of Timpson in Bishopbriggs advised people to get a high security diamond grade ABS lock fitted which he says is recommended by police.

He added: “This type of break-in happens quite often and it would be beneficial to people to upgrade to this lock.”