Residents on a Merseyside estate are "living in fear" and have even found themselves "sleeping downstairs on couches" after a number of break-ins in the area.
Residents on the new Mulberry Park estate in Kirkby have said attempted break-ins and theft have taken place across the Christmas period, leaving neighbours "unable to sleep" and "fearful" of it happening again.
Some residents have installed CCTV cameras and spiked fencing in an attempt to prevent any break-ins or damage to their properties.
Michael, who moved to the area six months ago, told the ECHO: "I know about crimes that have taken place in Kirkby but we’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s sort of its own little place to a certain extent, there’s no shops around us or anything like that.
"It was like sporadic events really. There were broken windows, my neighbour had something quite expensive stolen and there was an attempted car break in.
"It was really horrible when it happened. There was a lot of fear."
But a neighbourhood WhatsApp group that was set up during the first lockdown to make sure residents had basic necessities has since sparked an alliance between neighbours who have come together to tackle the issue at hand.
Michael said window panels have been smashed, houses have been ransacked and some CCTV footage shows attempted break-ins to the back of properties in people's gardens.
A few nights in the lead up to Christmas, he said he and his partner slept on the couch downstairs and left the television on to keep an eye on house and to hopefully deter someone from breaking in.
Michael said: "I didn't sleep one night before work because of any bang and outside noise that was made. The next day I spoke to our neighbours and they said we didn’t sleep last night and I said the exact same.
"At the time when it happened we had this WhatsApp group.
"It could help people who are getting broken into or who are worried about getting broken into. It doesn't have to be an estate, even if it's a cul de sac with only 10 houses in it, it's better than nothing at all."
Michael also praised the police for their high visibility patrolling in the area.
He said: "We have 80 cameras between us and we have the WhatsApp group so if someone is in trouble we’re all there, around 100 people which is really amazing."
Use your postcode below to find vaccine locations near where you live
Resident Tim Grant set up the WhatsApp group when he moved to the estate in March and said he would encourage other communities to do the same to support one another in all situations.
He said: "We originally set the group up after we moved in in March. About five days after we moved in the first lockdown was announced.
"We just wanted to offer our support to neighbours. I put cards through to anyone who’d moved in recently to offer support if anyone needed any shopping or anything like that
"We had a few incidents with kids stealing things out of people's gardens and then there was a continuation of people talking about what had happened. Everyone found it reassuring and safe, so we look out for one another."
Tim said the group has made some residents more aware of crime taking place, but that it has reinforced that there are others to support them.
He said his neighbour's alarm recently went off in the middle of the night and while it was a false alarm, residents from four streets away heard and also arrived to check on the property.
Tim said: "There’s a lot of support that goes on in the group and people share their experiences.
"Everyone is really pleased with the group and as soon as new houses are finished on the estate they're hearing about the group and wanting to join."
CCTV images were given to the ECHO by a resident regarding an attempted burglary on St Kevin's Drive on the estate.
Merseyside Police have confirmed at 7.40pm on December 21, two males were jumping over a fence and attempted to damage door handles at a property on St Kevin’s Drive. No damage was caused.
Between 2pm and 8pm on the same day, Merseyside Police said an unknown offender entered a house on Stonebridge Way and stole a watch.
Join our Knowsley news, community and people Facebook group here.
Knowsley community policing Inspector Peter Rexwinkel said: "It is very important that people are vigilant and ensure they take home security seriously and I would encourage them to report any suspicious people or vehicles they see in their neighbourhood.
"Many crimes are prevented and people arrested after members of the public report unusual or suspicious activity to the police.
"I would also encourage people to ensure their external doors are locked, even when they are inside, and remember to remove keys from the door.
"It’s also useful to invest in outdoor security lighting and during the dark nights use a light timing device to switch the lights on when you are not in.
"In January we will see a new dedicated local policing team for Kirkby. The new team comprising 18 Constables, three Sergeants and one Inspector will focus their efforts in the area by continuing to build relationships with the community and tackling crime head on.
"I would encourage our local communities to engage with the team as they play a crucial role in helping us to tackle crime and ASB across the whole of the Knowsley area."
