gair rhydd y Monday November 3rd 2014 | freeword | Issue 1036
In this week’s issue: Russell Brand and politics, journalistic ethics for the lay-person, the future of digital learning, and how your organs are being harvested by the Welsh government
Cardiff thieves “targeting pre-drinks” Taxi drivers also linked to rise in break-ins while students on nights out
EXCLUSIVE: Georgia Hamer
T
here is a rising trend in Cathays of ‘predrinks burglaries’ believed by police to be a result of communication between burglars and taxi drivers. In recent months a number of student houses have been broken in to shortly after residents have left for a night out. This has led to speculation by police that taxi drivers are acting as informants, letting networks know when student houses will be empty for the night. Further concerns have been raised
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by the on-going campaign to remove ‘to let signs’ from houses in Cathays. The signs identify houses as student houses and increase the risk of them being broken into over Christmas whilst students are away. Second year Dentistry student at Cardiff University, Jess Elliot, and her three housemates were broken into a week before Fresher’s week when they went out for the night. £700 cash, phones, jewellery, designer clothing and laptops were stolen from the property.
Speaking to Gair Rhydd, Jess said that the burglars had “taken time to raid every room and empty cupboards and drawers to locate valuable items. One of my housemates even had money hidden in the pages of a book which they managed to find. “Police suggested that it was a planned burglary as it was clear that those involved knew that we would not be returning for a long period of time.” Students have been warned by authorities to avoid ordering taxis
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to come directly to their houses and instead meet at a local convenience store. It is also advised that mobiles are used to call taxis as opposed to landlines where the call can be traced back to an address. In a conversation with Gair Rhydd, Student Liaison Officer, PC Tim Davies, stressed that the link between taxi drivers and burglaries is merely conjecture and at present no one has been arrested in connection with aiding and abetting a robbery.
Pictured: A pre-drinks session in Cathays (Photographer: Gair Rhydd)
Continued on page 4
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