Residents living in an upmarket suburb of Newcastle are being asked to increase security after the theft of a number of valuable fireplaces.
Officers from Northumbria Police are asking residents of Jesmond to be more vigilant after the theft of three fireplaces in 10 months.
Police estimate the value of the stolen antiques taken by the organised gangs to be worth £24,000.
As well as being stolen from various addresses in Jesmond, the fireplaces have also been stolen from the Gosforth area.
The burglars are targeting empty homes, many of which are used by students, and forcing their way into the buildings.
Police are advising home owners who are leaving their properties empty to fit security lights to both the front and back of their property, as well as internal timer switches.
Large vehicles
Detective Constable Marc Michael, Newcastle North Area Command, said: "Thieves have not only been taking the fireplace but the actual surround as well.
"This must be taking some time and the thieves must be making some noise removing them. They then need to use large vehicles such as vans to take the fireplaces away."
Many of the fireplaces are originals, dating from the Victorian era, with three stolen from one house worth a total of more than £6,000.
Mr Michael said: " It can take some time for the fireplaces to be removed and we would ask anyone living in the Jesmond or Gosforth areas to be more vigilant, particularly if they know a property is empty."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/3181823.stm | 
