Just what are the mystery chalk signs appearing on Chelmsford homes?
| Posted: March 30, 2014
By Megan Tatum
CHALK markings appearing outside people's homes do not appear to be a criminal code, say police.
Crosses, triangles and rectangular shapes etched in white chalk have been found on properties in Writtle, Springfield, and Moulsham Lodge in recent weeks prompting concern that the symbols are used as a tool by burglars to identify potential targets.
But officers have been quick to reassure residents that their investigations have not yet uncovered anything of concern in the symbols – with one even turning out to be the work of an innocuous utilities company.
"There has been a number of markings discovered across the district, right out to Writtle and up to Moulsham Lodge, but no offences have been committed at those houses where they've been found," said Chelmsford district commander and chief inspector Ronnie Egan.
"We're trying to standardise our response to get an indication of what they are. We haven't seen these particular symbols before so we're investigating what they could mean."
But discussion among the city's residents on Facebook has linked the symbols to burglars sharing information on potential targets, or thieves planning to steal the family pet.
A little over two weeks ago, one family on Ongar Road, Writtle, discovered one of the chalk crosses drawn on their front door, just days after spotting a "strange man" lingering near their home.
"I was coming home with the children in the car and saw a strange man outside my house. I pulled up and he quickly walked off," said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
"The next day my husband was helping me in the house and saw this chalk mark on the front door almost like a cross. He said he didn't want to worry me but he'd seen people talking on Facebook that burglars were going round the village marking houses."
Officers are now contacting all utility companies to see if they may be responsible for any other markings, after one turned out to be a simple water board sign.
"If people find one they should ring their neighbourhood team," added chief inspector Egan.
