Amersham: Couple left shaken after attempted burglary

Irina Wade and Henning Tegner were left shaken by the incident which happened on Friday, January 27 in their home on Plantation Road.

They said the burglary “could have gone even worse” and claim this particular area of Amersham has been plagued by burglaries over recent months.  

Henning was sat working from home in the loft room when he was interrupted by a loud noise coming from downstairs.

His partner Irina explained what happened at around 6pm that day, when Henning was alone in the house.

“You hear a big bang, and then you come down and you see shattered glass," she said.

“It could have gone even worse if they gained access and you meet them face to face.

The state of the patio door after the attempted burglary (Image: Irina Wade)

“They just tried to break in, and I don’t know whether it was him coming down or the noise of the shattered glass that scared them off.”

Irina claimed the 'opportunistic burglars' were not deterred by their neighbours lit up homes as the ground and first floor lights were left off.

Her partner Henning said: “It was scary, when it happened. I was quite confused." 

“The light was just starting to come down. But people just don’t care anymore, they are desperate," Irina added. 

When the police arrived, they told Irina how White Lion Road had seen break-ins and attempted burglaries as criminals looked for jewellery.

The couple said their fence which got damaged by a falling tree last February could have made it easier for burglars to prey on their home.

She said: “It feels like we’re kind of cursed in some way." 

They already have cameras to back of the property and were waiting for a Yale alarm system to be installed but put this on hold due to building an extension.

Irina added: “It’s awful you have to go through all of this in your own home to try and deter any burglars.

“To be fair, I hope we’re not going to end up like South Africa, where you need to barricade your windows and be afraid that someone’s going to mug you in your home.

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“But it is a weird feeling, because even last night I woke up thinking I’m hearing noises from downstairs, and I’ll probably feel like that for a while even though doors are locked and windows shut." 

Police confirmed they received a report of the incident shortly before 7pm on January 27.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Around 20 minutes earlier, the rear patio door was damaged and the glass pain was smashed but still in place due to being held in by the door frame, however, no entry was gained.

“Officers are investigating and urge anyone with information to call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230040884.”