Burglars foiled by determined residents

TWO men foiled would-be burglars after catching them in the act in separate incidents on Sunday.

The first incident saw a resident return home to find an unknown man inside his Church Street flat in Swinton at about 6pm.

There was a brief scuffle before the offender — who had forced open a bedroom window — ran off.

The culprit is described as slim, white, aged about 29 and about 5ft 8ins tall and with short or shaved hair.

Later, a Wingfield resident woke to find two men in the conservatory with their faces covered. They had forced the locks to enter.

One of the men made verbal threats about stabbing the resident before the pair climbed over a fence to escape at Wensleydale Road.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about either matter should ring South Yorkshire Police on 101.

Quote crime number C122745/2013 for the Swinton break-in and C122769/2013 for the Wingfield one, which happened at 8pm.

The force launched Operation Lockdown in October to combat house burglary and vehicle crime. More than 700 arrests have been made.