GARDAÍ in Waterford tackling a spike in burglaries have made a number of arrests.

Four juveniles were arrested on suspicion of committing as many as 12 burglaries in the city over the last few weeks, in areas such as Larchville and Lisduggan. A file has been sent to the DPP in respect of the four individuals, who have now been released.

Gardaí in the city have been tackling a rise in burglaries with a large number occurring over the past week, including one where a member of staff in a take-away was physically held back and money taken.

On Tuesday last at approximately 2pm a group of youths forced their way into the Chinese Takeaway in Lisduggan. Four youths pushed and held a staff member in the back room at Oriental Wok, while a small amount of cash was taken. The injured party was shocked but did not suffer from any injuries. Garda believe there could have been as many as eight people involved.

On Friday a house in Ballyvalla, Ferrybank, was ransacked when the house was unoccupied for just two hours. Jewellery and money was taken from the property between 10am and 12noon.

During the early hours of Saturday, Parts Depot in Knockhouse Business Park was broken into. The shutters on the office were forced open and a rock put through the window. Attempts were also made to open the rear fire door also. Nothing was taken from the premises.

Shortly before 5am on Saturday morning the window of a house at Mayor’s Walk was smashed for the second time in a week. The alarm was activated and no entry was gained.

Residents sleep through burglary

On Wednesday, occupants in a house on Water Street woke to find that their house had been burgled. While they slept upstairs during the day, a burglar had been busy in the property, with euro and sterling taken as well as a gold watch, four gold rings and two gold chains.

On the same day rings, brooches and chains were taken from a house in St John’s Park, while an attempted burglary occurred in Meadowbank. The injured party reported that her back window was broken. It’s believed a screwdriver was used to cause the damage. Nothing was taken from the property.

On the same day burglaries were also reported on Keane’s Road, where all the rooms were gone through but nothing taken, and in Avondale, where cash and Newbridge jewellery were taken.

Money was also taken from a car parked in Kingfisher car park on Tuesday evening last. A window was smashed and €50 was taken.

On Monday last an office at Waterford Stanley in the Northern Industrial Estate was broken into and a Dell laptop and docking station taken.

If you have any information on these crimes you can contact Waterford Garda Station on (051) 305300.