Thieves steal £30,000 from single mum
Published 17 Dec 2011 09:30
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A SINGLE mother has revealed she has been "trapped in a living nightmare" since moving to Earley two weeks ago.
Sophia Mahmood, who has four children, moved from London Road in Cemetery Junction to Byron Road, Earley, because she wanted her family to grow up in a safer environment.
But just days after moving in, £30,000 worth of uninsured gold was swiped from her home.
Miss Mahmood said: "I have been under so much stress.
"I always used to let out my house in Earley, but I decided to move my family there because it is such a nice, large environment.
"But I have been trapped in a living nightmare ever since we arrived.
"I had cleaners and workmen in my house on the day of the burglary so I cannot be sure who took my gold, but I have been in so many tears.
"Why should we be made to live like this?"
The Chronicle reported exclusively last week that residents across the town were living in fear after a spate of burglaries over the past three months targeted houses in Allonby Close, Paddick Drive, Colmworth Close, Bradmore Way, Fordham Way and Sutcliffe Avenue.
Miss Mahmood, a health sector worker, has been forced to install a full alarm system since the burglary. She added: "My children are banned from opening the front door but I still can't sleep.
"I just wait for it be daylight again.
"If I had known it was like this, I would not have moved here.
"I want them to leave us in peace. I am so scared of an intruder coming in, I cannot be home alone.
"My children have had a tough life in Cemetery Junction, but it was nothing like this.
"I am in constant fear - it has taken over my life and the burglars need to have a heart. They are targeting hard-working people who have never done anything to them."
Local area commander for Wokingham, Chief Inspector Christian Bunt, said burglary was the "top priority" of officers and that they were doing all they could to catch the culprits. He added:
"To combat this unusual crime pattern, we have been carrying out high visibility patrols and speaking to local residents, offering them crime prevention advice."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 16 Dec 11
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