A BURRY Port man whose house was broken into while his elderly mother was home alone has spoken out after a spate of burglaries on his road.
Martyn Roberts, who lives in Gwscwm Road with his 87-year-old mother Marjorie, has warned neighbours to be vigilant after police launched an investigation into two daylight burglaries at homes in the street.
Police said cash and jewellery were stolen from houses on Wednesday, May 8. Mr Roberts's home was broken into in October, and following a police appeal for information about the recent burglaries, he spoke out about the effect it had on him.
"It's frightening — especially for my mother," he said.
"She never goes out. She is in the window here all the time, watching in case anybody comes up. She's very nervous."
He said the pair had moved into the property 10 years ago, and had not experienced any problems until the break-in in October.
"This is the first time there's been anything," he said. "Whether it is linked to these burglaries, we don't know.
"I left to go up to Marks & Spencer. By the time I came back there were about three police cars here.
"The burglar thought the house was empty. He actually had a crowbar and took the whole section of the door out, which the police had never seen before.
"But we were lucky. It could have been used to attack my mother."
Speaking to Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council on Wednesday, Sergeant Stuart Bell said: "There were two break-ins during daybreak hours. We are actively looking into it. We don't have any suspects at this stage.
"There are a couple of suspect vehicles we are looking at and a number of forensic leads."
Councillor Pat Jones said: "I'm a bit concerned about Gwscwm Road. This is not the first time we've had thefts in daylight. They seem to be targeting the front houses where there are very vulnerable people.
"We've never had any problems there before.
"For that to go on in the middle of the day when everyone can see, that must have been very, very frightening for the people."
Mr Bell said: "It's going to be very upsetting for the occupants."
He said police were trying to establish a link between the Gwscwm Road crimes and two similar incidents in Hendy, in which jewellery and cash were stolen from houses on Llanedi Road on April 30 and Heol y Parc on May 7.
Councillors asked police to consider placing a mobile camera on the street in case of any further incidents.
Mrs Jones said: "I think that would give residents more confidence. I would be afraid to go out of the house."
Mr Bell added: "It's something we are taking very, very seriously."
Anyone who has seen anything suspicious should call police on 101.