Maltby: Hair straighteners high on burglars’ Christmas lists

The latest theft was at a salon in Tickhill Road, Maltby when staff returned to the salon on Monday to find that it had been broken into.

Items including hair straighteners, cameras, laptops and mobile phones had all been taken.

Hair straighteners are particularly sought after by thieves at this time of year, officers from South Yorkshire Police say, as they are a popular choice of Christmas gift.

Over the previous weekend - Saturday 19th October to Monday 21st October - there was one burglary and one attempted burglary at hairdressing salons in Rotherham town centre and Rawmarsh. Again, hair straighteners were stolen.

Crime reduction officer Eamonn Larkin said there were various steps that businesses could take to protect themselves from such burglaries.

He said: “The point of entry and exit in most of these offences is at the rear of the property.”

“Access is often gained by attacking a rear window or door at ground level, or a window or fire door at first floor level.”

“When the premises are empty, fire doors should be locked and windows should be secured by means of a key-operated window lock.”

“Ideally, single glazed windows should be fitted with laminated glass and also protected externally with grilles.”

Mr Larkin added that dustbins should be stored away from the main building and secured, while sheds or outbuildings should not contain any items that could be used to gain entry to the main building.

Salons have also been advised to mark valuable items such as hair straighteners, so that if they are stolen and recovered they can be returned to their owners.