Over the weekend the PSNI issued a number of appeals for information after several crimes took place. 

PSNI in Lisnaskea issued an appeal for information following a burglary at an unoccupied property in the Pubble Road area of Tempo, in which a copper tank and copper wire was taken. And in Newtownbutler a bike was stolen fom a home  in the Clones Road area.

In the past few days the PSNI have also been patrolling car parks at beauty spots. Beforehand thieves had targeted cars parked at walking trails at both the Marble Arch and Castle Caldwell areas. Vehicles had been broken into and valuables had been taken. Reacting a PSNI spokesman urged walkers not to leave money or valuables in their vehicles.

In Ederney and other places in north Fermanagh residents are on high alert after reports in the neighbouring Aghyaran area were being carried out by a criminal gang based in Dublin.

“It’s got to the stage now that people don’t want to leave their houses. They fear now that if they come back they’ll find their homes ransacked,” The Ulster Herald reports.

Burglaries in the area are believed to be linked to gang members. An organised crime gang based in Dublin are currently under investigation for burglaries close to the county border.

In a number of recent cases homes have been targeted when owners have been away. This has lead locals to believe that there is a degree of scouting going on as criminals appear to know when houses are unattended.

Newtownbutler Councillor Garbhan McPhillips added that there had been an “alarming number” of crimes reported over the past few weeks. “ I would warn people to continue to be vigilant. Throughout the Erne East area, in particular Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler and Roslea there have been a number of reported crimes. 

“This time of year can be a stressful enough period without the added annoyance of such crimes. Once again I would advise local residents to be aware of any suspicious behaviour around their homes or property.”