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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Burglary - Residential, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. A 33-year-old man from Surrey has been jailed for four and a half years after he admitted breaking into homes in Hedge End and Southampton.
Terry McDonagh, of Highdown Lane, Sutton, committed the burglaries in broad daylight on Thursday 10 April 2024.
He pleaded guilty to the two break-ins, along with driving a motor vehicle dangerously and whilst already disqualified, when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday 30 July.
He was subsequently sentenced when he appeared at the same court last Thursday (7 August).
As well as the 54 months he will now spend behind bars, he has also been further disqualified from driving for five years and five months and must pay a £228 surcharge.
When McDonagh forced his way into the residential home on Mousehole Lane, Southampton, he stole expensive watches and jewellery.
At the second property, on Navigators Way, Hedge End, he stole a Nike bag and gym equipment.
Later, he was then witnessed driving dangerously in a black Jaguar in the Southampton area. This was despite him already being disqualified from driving at the time.
PC Noora Abbasi, of the Western Area Crime Team, who led the investigation, said: “Burglary is one of the most intrusive of crimes and one which can take victims a long time to start to recover from.
“It can have untold, long-lasting impacts on the victims of such crimes. Nobody should have to feel unsafe in their own home, once behind locked doors.
“I am pleased that we are now in a position where justice has been served and McDonagh is behind bars where he belongs, and for a significant period of time.
“We hope that this result provides the victims in these two cases some reassurance and comfort as they look to try and move on from what was has happened to them.
“Our officers and teams have worked extremely hard to achieve this result and we will always work tirelessly to secure justice against those seeking to cause harm in our local communities.
“This sentence should send out a strong message to would-be offenders. We will put you in front of the courts and you will ultimately face up to the consequences of your actions.
"Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remains a hostile place for criminals and we will always do what we can to ensure that you are caught and that you are held accountable for whatever criminality you choose to be involved in.”
We urge anyone who has been the victim of burglary, or anyone who has any information on burglary or stolen goods, to contact us on 101 or via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, below. Always call 999 if you are in danger or if a crime is in progress.
https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
For information and advice about how you can help protect your home and property from burglary, please visit our website:
https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/keep-burglars-out-property/
 Burglary is a particularly invasive crime that can have a lasting impact on victims. If you have been a victim and need support and help, you should have been offered the services of Victim Support. You may have declined at the time, or not noticed the offer, but can refer yourself at any time by either calling 0808 168 9111 or visiting their website www.victimsupport.org.uk. Burglars do not want to get caught, so taking action to make your home or business premises safe and less attractive to thieves can go a long way to reducing the risk. If looking to take positive action to prevent yourself from being a victim of this type of crime, help and advice can be found on the https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/ Neighbourhood Watch is about people getting together with their neighbours to take action to reduce crime. They're community initiatives owned and run by their members which are supported by the police but not owned by them, although we sometimes run them. They work by developing a close relationship between community members and the local police. Go to Neighbourhood Watch website to find out what groups are active in your area and to register to join. If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at www.hampshire.police.uk, or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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