PEOPLE who had their homes broken into and valuables stolen in an area of Ilminster say they feel broken street lights were partly to blame.

The News reported last week that Burt Brawn and Julia Hamilton, who live at Holway House Park, had their homes trashed and pieces of valuable and sentimental jewellery stolen.

They hope people can help recover the items.

They say that the street lighting on the site, owned by Berkeley Parks, has been out for over two weeks due to a broken cable.

Burt’s son, Stuart Brawn, said he feels the problem with the lights contributed to the robberies.

He said: “I do really feel like having no street lighting contributed to what happened.

“The darkness meant that the thieves had the chance to work away in the dark without getting caught and where the break-ins happened was in the area which was in total darkness.

“What concerns me is the welfare of the residents – these are elderly citizens.

“I have walked along there at 9pm and it is nearly impossible to see what is in front of you. What if one of them has an accident?

“I think many feel scared to go outside.

“We have been in contact with Berkeley but they said the lights might not be fixed until this week.”

The News contacted Berkeley Parks but it declined to comment.

Mr Brawn added that his father said he was feeling like a prisoner in his own home.

“This was a horrible incident for everyone, and the police have been very helpful, but I don’t think anyone will feel safe until these lights are back on.”

Town councillor Val Keitch told councillors at a meeting last Tuesday that she will contact police to discuss the incident further.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is urged to call Yeovil police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.