Police called in over thefts from wheelie bins in Allesley

[dutchman]

Concerned residents called in the police after spotting two people rummaging through hundreds of bins in Allesley.



The police were called at 7.40am on Wednesday after a man - wearing a hi-vis jacket and pushing a pram - and a woman were spotted dipping into wheelie bins in Aldbury Rise, Allesley Park.

Neigbourhood officers have been alerted and they are looking into the reports.

Many residents took to Facebook to share details on where the couple had gone, with people reporting they were in Brookside Avenue, Winsford Avenue, Torbay Road and Broad Lane.

Strictly speaking stealing from bins could be classed as theft if the owner of the property can be traced and wishes to press action.

In recent years there have been some prosecutions for stealing from supermarket bins, although one high profile case was dropped last year when it was deemed to not be in the public interest.

Whoberley councillor Bally Singh said: “It’s worrying to hear of bin chasers rummaging thorough people’s refuse in Coventry.

“People are rightly concerned about identity theft, as well as the potential risks to health and safety.

“So I’ve asked the police and the council’s community safety team to look into this urgently, in order to prevent this from happening on our streets.

“I also urge residents to dispose any sensitive documentation securely by shredding.”

The council’s head of community safety has also asked police to monitor the issue.

[dutchman]

They might just be looking for food after having their benefits sanctioned? It's amazing what people throw out.