HOUSEHOLD burglaries in Newport have soared 106 per cent in the last three months compared to the same period last year, the Argus can reveal.

The latest figures are on top of a 10 per cent increase in house burglaries for the city last year.

Detection rates have also risen - to 58 per cent for household burglaries compared to a national average of 14 per cent.

Police admit the increase in household burglaries is 'worrying'.

Chief Inspector Carl Close, of Gwent Police, said: "Unfortunately house burglaries in Newport did rise by 10 per cent during the last financial year, from 889 to 981 burglaries. "The burglary in-crease we experienced last year has unfortunately continued and since April we have seen a significant increase in house burglaries.

"In the first three months of this financial year, compared to the same period last year there has been a 106 per cent increase of 113 to 233 house burglaries.

"This worrying trend is obviously of concern and has lead to sterling efforts from my officers right across Newport."

House burglaries in Torfaen and Monmouth have reduced from 562 to 549 for the last financial year, the Argus has learned.

Chief Inspector Close said the detection rate for Newport house burglaries rose from 36 per cent to 40 per cent at the end of the last financial year. He said: "Last year''s 10 per cent increase is still a 13 per cent dec-rease of the number of house burglaries in Newport from three years ago.

"Detection of house burglaries today is over 58 per cent, with some excellent work to catch burglars going on in all five sectors across the Newport division."

Since April, in Alway police have arrested six people in connection of 46 house burglaries; in Maindee 17 people have been arrested in connection with 108 burglaries, which include one man who admitted 50 burglaries. Pill officers say they have made 10 arrests in connection with 40 offences of home burglaries.

Central police have arrested 10 people for burglaries which cover 36 offences, and Bettws police have arrested six people for 48 offences.

Chief Inspector Close said: "Since April we have arrested a total of 50 burglars, including six prolific offenders, and cleared up more than 250 offences.

"The prolific offenders, and a significant number of other burglars, have drug habits and it is likely they see burglary as a way to feed their habit.

"We have also made quite a number of significant arrests in relation to the handling of stolen goods.

"We have also recovered about £11,000- worth of property. I would expect that the current detection rate will increase further when current investigations are finalised. "We are working hard to detect these burglars and hope that they will receive suitable punishments from the court.

"While my officers have had tremendous success in clearing up burglaries, the increase means we have regrettably had more victims in the last 15 months.

"Burglars should be warned that the boosted police effort means they have more than a 1 in 2 chance of being caught."

PICTURE: Insecure windows provide easy access for thieves. (Picture posed by model)