A MAN has been jailed for stealing a safe filled with cash during a burglary on the Isle of Wight.

At around 2am on February 1, 27-year-old Kurtis Lake broke into The Works, in St James Square, Newport, and took the safe from the premises, say Island police.

"Joint efforts were made by the Isle of Wight’s Area Crime Team and Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, who swiftly identified Lake as a suspect for this incident, and he was arrested at 1.40pm that day in Southampton," the police added. 

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The stolen safe and its contents — around £500 cash — were located in the boot of a car Lake had been driving.

Lake, of Sholing Road, Southampton, was subsequently charged with burglary and possession of a bladed article in a public place, after police found a knife in the driver’s door pocket.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on Friday last week (March 8), Lake admitted both offences and was jailed for eight months.

PC Ramsay said: “Tackling business crime is a priority for police on the Isle of Wight, with teams working with local businesses and making concerted efforts to target thieves.

“The burglary at The Works was a brazen crime, which took place in the town centre.

"The efforts of local police teams ensured that Lake was quickly identified as the person responsible, and I’m pleased these efforts have resulted in him being sent to prison.”