TERRIFIED homeowners have issued an urgent warning after secret symbols used by burglars were scrawled on their walls.
Locals say the mysterious chalk markings showing a circle with a diagonal line were left on homes in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.
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The symbols are often linked to burglaries and dog thefts with residents now “creeped out”.
But they can also be left by engineers to show any potential issues have been checked.
Nick Taylor told Stoke-on-Trent Live: “I’ve heard about people doing it. It’s usually done for dogs.
“My doorbell picks up on anyone who walks outside my house, so I will have a look through my doorbell footage for anyone suspicious. I’ll be keeping an eye out and I’ll wash the mark off and have a look up the street.”
While Chelsea Coleman, 28, said: “It’s peculiar. A lady messaged me a few weeks ago about people using chalk to mark houses.
“I never saw anyone do it. I’m a bit creeped out. I’ll just be keeping an eye out.
“Touch wood, we’ve lived here since 2005 and had nothing other than two bikes stolen last year. I work from home, so I’d see them if they tried to break in as I’m home all the time.
“Maybe it’s just a utility company because it’s on almost every house.”
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A graphic of symbols – known as the “Da Pinci Code” – went viral after it apparently showed what the scrawlings mean.
This included an X for a “good target” and five circles revealing a wealthy owner.
But police were quick to debunk the so-called crook’s code and instead claimed the symbols were left by utility workers.
The Safeguarding Hub previously said: “Between us, we have a fairly extensive knowledge of burglary. We have spent many hours speaking to distraught victims, visiting crime scenes and dealing with burglars.
“We have actually seen and experienced these symbols being used by criminals. This is not to say that this is a common practice between bands of thieves, for most burglars work alone.
“We do not want to scaremonger and we can say confidentially that the use of these symbols is very rare.
“But, if you are a caregiver to an elderly or vulnerable person and spot strange marks outside their home, do you really want to dismiss it out of hand without just ensuring that the symbol is legitimate?”
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