Sheffield neighbours spring into action as CCTV captures burglar targeting their street

Garden plants and lanterns were taken from at least three gardens on Buttermere Road in Woodseats between June 22 and August 12.

South Yorkshire Police have introduced extra patrols in the area, as they continue to investigate the targeted thefts.

Naomi Lewis, who lives on Buttermere Road, had a box tree stolen from outside her back door last month, alongside some garden tools given to her by her father.

The government worker shared how the road is now trying to rally around their most vulnerable neighbours to make them feel safe, despite the multiple thefts.

"We're a very close knit street, we've got our own little internet page and we all really look out for each other, it really is the old fashioned community type place”, Naomi said.

"One of my neighbours has hearing problems, she can't hear at all and she is feeling very anxious and that makes me really angry and cross about it.

"I just had an email exchange with a neighbour this morning saying how about we get whistles for people that are feeling vulnerable so that if they feel something is going on, they can blow the whistle and a neighbour can respond.”

One resident on the street captured CCTV footage of a woman with blonde hair and tattoos on her arm, stealing lanterns from a garden on the street which has been passed over to the police.

Naomi, who has only been targeted by the criminals once, believes the generally low-cost garden items are being stolen so they can be resold as part of a organised crime group.

"I am so p*ssed off with it”, she added.

"I work really hard, everything I've got is mine, I've had to work and pay for it myself.

"It is not ok for people to just come in and take stuff.

"It was during that really hot week when the police said don't leave your windows, so I was being really safety conscious.”

Anyone who has any information about the thefts should call police on 101, quoting incident number 14/123446/20.

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