Teenager charged with string of high-value burglaries across the north east

The 19-year-old will appear in court after being charged with 16 burglaries across the region.

Northumbria Police’s central burglary team launched an investigation after large amounts of jewellery and cash were taken by thieves from properties in North Tyneside, Newcastle, Northumberland and Cumbria in July 2018.

Detectives believed a travelling gang was responsible and hundreds of house-to-house calls were carried out.

A suspect, who was believed to be staying in Gosforth last summer, has now been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

He went before Bedlington Magistrates Court on June 13 and will make his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on July 11.

The suspected thief lives in Greater Manchester and is charged with a conspiracy relating to burglaries in Wallsend, Heaton, Gosforth, Dudley, Morpeth and Cumbria.

Detective Sergeant Dave Lumsden, of the force’s Central Burglary Team, said: “We have always believed this particular group of burglaries have been linked. Large values of jewellery and cash were taken in the raids, as well as a car, and the value of the items stolen is tens of thousands of pounds.”

Anyone who has information about burglars operating in the area can contact Northumbria Police’s burglary team by calling 101 or emailing [email protected]