Excellent CCTV catches burglar in the act

A man has been imprisoned for three and a half years’ for burglary and being unlawfully at large while on temporary release from prison.

Ashley Symes, born on 11/03/1966, has been sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment for burglary, with four months’ to run concurrently for remaining unlawfully at large.

On Monday, 17 July, a burglary was reported at an address in Reigate. When officers attended, they uncovered signs of forced entry to the property and a number of items of jewellery stolen. Excellent CCTV recovered from the address had recorded the suspect in the act, which on review by the local team, identified Symes as the offender.

Already wanted for absconding from prison, Symes was spotted and arrested by Sussex Police officers in Brighton on 20 July.

Symes was charged with burglary and being unlawfully at large, to which he plead guilty to both offences and was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, 5 October.

Investigating officer, PC Ben Wright said: “Symes caused significant distress to the victims of this crime, who have been left feeling unsafe in their own home. Symes had total disregard for the impact that breaking into somebody’s home can have and the ordeal has ruined their peace of mind. He has rightly been given a significant custodial sentence. We continue to pursue criminals who conspire to commit offences of this nature in Surrey.”

In conjunction with our 'Autumn Nights' burglary campaign, we are asking that if you spot any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, to make sure you report it via our suspicious activity portal.