NEIGHBOURS living on a Bradford estate have called for extra security after a spate of burglaries since it was built.

The cul-de-sac in Chellow Heights was hit by about 20 burglaries in its first two years and recently saw four break-ins in one day according to residents.

The raiders have reportedly taken gold, jewellery, passports, cash and electricals.

The 58-home extension to Galsworthy Avenue was built a couple of years ago by housing association Home Group.

One of the residents, Lailah, said that within a week recently there had been four burglaries and three attempted burglaries that she had heard about.

She said: “The Home Group could have avoided all this after the first burglaries were reported.

“Anyone could break into the French doors. We feel exposed.

“It feels like I’m living in a cardboard box. It’s an absolute joke. There’s no security.”

She said her home had not been burgled but she had scared people off after spotting them in her garden.

“Whenever I hear stuff outside I think ‘oh my God’.

“My five-year-old son is always putting the chain on the door. It’s really affecting our children.”

She said the estate has a lot of vulnerable mothers and children and called for no-one to be re-housed on the development until the security problems had been solved.

A neighbour said most of the problems stemmed from the fact that the boundary at the back of gardens adjoined fields and only consisted of a wooden fence.

He said the burglars had been burning holes and knocking holes in the panels and then targeting the locks on house doors.

Another complaint he had was that there were no street lights so the street was pitch dark at night.

He said he had been told by the housing association, which is building another development next door, that there was no money in the budget for extra security measures.

Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said he had received numerous complaints from people living on the estate.

He said: “Doors have been forced open but haven’t been repaired. I’ve seen French doors fixed with jammers. Handles have been broken and not replaced.

“Kids cannot sleep. They are worried that someone will come in again.

Ikenna Patrick-Iwuji, Home Group housing manager, said: “If any of our customers have issues with their home they can contact us and we will get a surveyor out to ensure it meets the high standards we set. If there is an issue we will ensure it is resolved satisfactorily.

“If our customers have concerns over safety or security, then again, they can contact us direct and we can support them and offer help and advice.

“I have spoken to some customers direct and they have been reassured by our conversations.

“If customers were interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, then we would be very happy to work with them to help get that set up.”

Inspector Tom Casey, who leads the Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Local officers have carried out a number of inquiries in the area in relation to the most recent burglaries. Crime prevention officers have also visited the victims to offer them reassurance and advice on how to prevent further offences.

“Three of the four crimes recorded are reported to have taken place between 2pm and 9pm on Sunday, November 11, and we would ask anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around these times to contact us.

“Information can be given by calling the police on 101, by using the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website, or anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”