Prolific burglar who is on the run could be in Peterborough

Police in London are renewing appeals for information to trace a prolific burglar with links to Peterborough who absconded from the care of a mental health centre in Hackney.
Peter KerriganPeter Kerrigan
Peter Kerrigan

Peter Kerrigan, 28, was on escorted leave from the John Howard Centre when he absconded in Narrow Way, Hackney, at approximately 4.45pm on March 29 2015.

An appeal for information to trace Kerrigan will feature on the BBC’s Crimewatch Roadshow tonight (June 10).

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Kerrigan, who is from the Irish travelling community, was serving a six-year sentence for a series of burglaries when he absconded.

He preyed on the elderly, vulnerable and disabled by impersonating a police officer before stealing from what should have been the safety of their own homes.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from Hackney CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “It has now been 15 months since Kerrigan absconded after he was jailed for committing these despicable crimes.

“The oldest victim he targeted was a 92-year-old female who was asleep in her bed. She was left terrified by the masked intruder.

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“Another elderly female was 89-years-old at the time of the offence described how Kerrigan ransacked her bedroom and stole personal effects as she was powerless to stop him. She was deeply traumatised for a long time afterwards. It is imperative that he is found before he ruins other people’s lives.”

Mr Ridley believes that someone maybe assisting Kerrigan to evade capture: “Anyone who knows of Kerrigan’s whereabouts or maybe harbouring him, I would urge them to think about the damage Kerrigan has done to his defenceless victims and ask them to contact police.

“I can personally assure you that all information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”Kerrigan has links across the country including, Maidstone, Sussex, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Leicester. He is also known to visit various areas of London, including Hackney, Brent and Newham.Officers advise anyone who sees Peter Kerrigan, or knows of his whereabouts, to call 999 immediately. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. The charity will provide a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest of Kerrigan.