RESIDENTS say they are living in fear following a high number of burglaries on a west Hull estate.
People believe the use of alcohol and drugs is behind the rise in burglaries on the Great Thornton Street estate.
The Holy Apostles Church and vicarage in Adelaide Street were targeted over the weekend.
Church facilities manager Sarah Glenton had her home burgled while she was asleep last Thursday.
"It was about 5am when I heard something downstairs," she said.
"I sent my husband to have a look and he couldn't see anything, but when I went down an hour later, I noticed things had been stolen.
"We believe the burglar must have been hidden behind the door when my husband went down."
Mrs Glenton claims people living in the area are now too afraid to leave their homes.
She said: "I have a three-year-old daughter and she has been having nightmares ever since.
"It breaks my heart.
"I've also been talking to people living in the area and they say they don't feel safe at all.
"There are a lot of people doing drugs and drinking and people are scared that they are going to be targeted next.
"I am too afraid to go outside the house sometimes, especially at teatime."
Thieves stole electrical equipment from the Holy Apostles Church when it was broken into over the weekend.
Mrs Glenton said: "Another woman recently had her flat burgled and actually confronted the burglar.
"People have also been having washing stolen from their lines.
"Things are happening all over the estate.
"The police have been fantastic and kept us up to date, but we are living in fear."
Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove said police have made one arrest in relation to the burglaries and officers are currently tracing another suspect.
Mr Grove visited residents living on Adelaide Street yesterday, in a bid to reassure them everything possible is being done to make them feel safe.
"The community is fighting back," Mr Grove said.
"It's not just about the police targeting the very small number of offenders who are preying on the vulnerable victims.
"It is about pulling the community together.
"I met people who were in tears about what is happening and we have got to do more to fight back.
"We will turn the tables on the offenders and will not allow these mindless thugs to bully the community."
