A Vale of Glamorgan couple have landed themselves with a criminal record after reporting a false burglary to police.
Officers received reports of a break-in in Barry on Tuesday last week but following enquiries it was quickly established that the report was not true.
The 36-year-old woman and 29-year-old man reported that they had returned home to find that a 32-inch television along with its coin box had been stolen.
However, it was later established that the rented television had in fact been sold for cash.
The pair has now received a police caution for fraud and theft offences.
Detective Chief Inspector Lorraine Davies, head of CID in Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “Having your house burgled is an upsetting and costly experience and we are doing everything possible to prevent and detect burglaries in Bridgend and the Vale.
“In the case of every reported burglary, a thorough investigation is carried out in an attempt to catch the person responsible and reduce the likelihood of victims being targeted again.
“A detective visits each and every report to glean as much information about the incident as possible. Not only does this present us with investigative opportunities it also quickly establishes whether the reporting person is being entirely truthful.
“Anyone thinking of pretending they have been burgled should think again. Detailed enquiries will be carried out and if we have the evidence to prove a report is not genuine then offenders will have appropriate action taken against them. That said, genuine victims will be provided with the best possible service.”
