Burglars target vacant homes in Tonbridge

Residents are reminded to be vigilant after burglars targeted several vacant homes near Tonbridge in one evening.

Call handlers received reports of burglaries at three properties in Whetsted Road just before 9pm on Tuesday 4 March 2025.

It is alleged two people approached the houses and entered each time by forcing doors or windows.

The suspects completed messy searches at each address and took valuables, namely jewellery.

Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

Appeal

Anyone with information is urged to contact the west Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/36870/25.

Local residents with private CCTV or drivers with dashcam, who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, are also asked to check for footage.

Further advice

It’s important your home is locked and secure whenever you leave it.

Here are some recommendations to protect your property and deter burglars:

• Close and lock all doors and windows every time you leave your house. Double lock them if you can;
• Keep all valuables, including documents and IDs, out of sight;
• Ensure handbags, keys, and valuables are away from letterboxes or cat flaps;
• In the evening, shut the curtains and leave the lights on;
• If you are out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night;
• Set your burglar alarm;
• Ensure external doors and outbuildings are locked, including side gates, sheds, and garages;
• Secure items such as bicycles inside a shed or garage to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor.

Going away?

If you are going on holiday, or will be leaving your home for a period of time:

• Ensure any social media posts indicating your house could be empty can only be seen by trusted friends and family members;
• Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or resident Watch Scheme. Find more information on the Kent Police website, here: Neighbourhood watch;
• Consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive;
• Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries.

Further advice is available on the Kent Police website here: Protecting your home from crime