A Co Armagh councillor has called for a time limit to be put on deliveries late at night after two elderly residents had their home ransacked by three men in a van.
The sickening attack on the couple’s home, in the Bannfoot area of Charlestown, outside Derrytrasna, happened as they were settling down to go to bed around 9.30pm.
It was reported that the three men pulled the landline phone out of the wall while one man ordered the resident to stay in the living room, while the others ransacked the house. The intruders stole a sum of money.
Craigavon SDLP Councillor, Declan McAlinden, commented: “I want to condemn unreservedly this burglary of two elderly residents.
“Preying on the elderly and vulnerable at anytime is despicable but at night when they are settling down for bedtime is the lowest of lows.
“I would urge everyone to lookout for their neighbours especially in rural areas and check in on them or give them a call.
“Also , I would call on the online companies (Amazon/Prime etc) to supply their delivery teams with signs for their vehicles so people can identify them while they are out delivering and also to put a time limit on when to stop deliveries.
“Over this last year through lockdown most of or rural roads have been busy with delivery vans.
“Indeed, I’m getting numerous calls on a weekly basis about suspicious vehicles in my own area and to give the neighbourhood some reassurance a sign on their delivery vehicles would be a small step and cost given the vast amounts of money they are making.
“Finally I’d like to thank the PSNI for their quick response and pass on my thoughts to the family concerned.”
Detective Sergeant Dave Stewart said: “We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 111 06/02/21.
A report can also be made online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/
Upper Bann DUP MP described it as “a terrible ordeal for the resident of the house”.
“The police are doing what they can in the current climate and rural patrols are a vital part of policing – we need to see more if possible,” she added.
