Police have made an arrest following recent reports of attempted burglaries in the south Belfast area.

Inspector Carey said: “We initially received a report at approximately 8.45am on Friday morning, 22nd December of a suspicious man in the back garden of a property in the Balmoral area of the city.

“Officers attended and while they were making enquiries they received a second report of a burglary at another house in the same area at around 9.30am.

“It was reported a rear window on a door had been smashed at this property. Further enquiries were made and police located the suspect in the garden of a third house.

“The 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal, attempted burglary, obstructing police and criminal damage. Following questioning, he was later released on police bail to allow for further enquiries to take place into the investigation.

“Police are also linking these occurrences to another report of a smashed rear window at a house in another nearby area of south Belfast.

“Local officers in south Belfast are working hard right over the Christmas and New Year period to prevent crime and keep people safe.  This is just one example of their work.

“Our investigation is ongoing - with enquiries continuing. We would appeal to anyone with any information including dash-cam, mobile or CCTV footage, or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the Balmoral area of south Belfast to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 336 22/12/23.”

A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/