Residents concerned their Castlebar estate is being targetted by thieves

RESIDENTS of McHale Road in Castlebar are up in arms over a rise in crime levels on their street.

The theft of a car from the area made media headlines within the past number of days.

But there is growing concern over the number of break-ins to sheds in the back gardens of houses there.

A tradesman, who does not wish to be named, has reported to An Garda Síochána the robbery of tools and equipment worth in the region of €2,500 from his locked-up shed.

He said the thieves, who raided via a back road, broke a lock on his shed to gain access.

“It has been a major setback to my business and I don't see any chance of getting them back. There is a feeling in the estate that we are being targeted.”

Another recent after dark break-in saw garden equipment, with an estimated worth of €400, being taken.

The McHale Road Neighbourhood Watch Committee has expressed its concern.

A CCTV camera system is operating at the entrance to the estate and it is hoped it will provide footage that will be helpful to the gardaí in their investigations.