Heartless burglars and trespassers targeted Leeson Road in Bonchurch during its lengthy road closure.

They took advantage while some homes were empty and the road was quiet and traffic-free following the devastating landslide of December 2023.

The road fully re-opened to traffic this weekend and residents hope that will be the end of the problem after a difficult few months.

One homeowner went to check on his empty home this weekend and found it had been broken into - the front door glass smashed in.

"They had bashed the glass door through with a dustbin. They've rifled through some boxes although there's nothing of any value in there, moved some chairs around and have been smoking in there.

"It just feels horrible that someone has been in there, and they've taken the keys from inside so we've had to block it all up again and secure it even more - we are worried they are coming back.

"Our biggest fear is getting squatters. Our message is 'please stay away, we've been though enough, we don't need this aggravation'."

Another homeowner told the County Press her house had been repeatedly targeted despite security cameras.

She said: "Our cameras at the house have alerted us to several unwanted visitors.

"For example, at 8.30pm on November 9, three men wearing balaclavas were captured on camera. We immediately called police and they attended very quickly with a drone and dog unit."

The men weren't caught, but since then another neighbour has twice reported other suspicious activity in the area to the police.

The homeowner said: "Now the road is open again, we hope the problem will go away.

"We are reassured that neighbours are keeping an eye out, our cameras are doing a good job, and the police were willing to bring a drone and dog unit out. Hopefully that is enough to put any potential burglars off coming again."

MP for IW East, Joe Robertson, said: "We are aware of burglaries and instances of trespassing on Leeson Road.

"For sure, the lack of thoroughfare has led perpetrators to feel they are not being observed, giving them more confidence to commit offences. 

"We know one individual has been into evacuated homes both on Leeson Road and on Hunts Road in St Lawrence, filming it and putting it on YouTube. 

"Also on Leeson Road, trees have been cut down in people's gardens, smashing fences and other boundaries."