Cycling along peshed in Byker in the early 90's at midnight, some bloke walking his dog up ahead bends down as I approach and undoes the dog chain, swings it and it wraps round my neck. He yanks it to pull me off the bike but I manage to punch him in the head and get away.
Also in Newcastle, Fenham this time. Me and the gf wake at 2am to the sound of the front doorbell. Bizzarre. Sort of half wake and then we hear mens voices and heavy footsteps so we're stumbling around trying to get dressed, trousers on backwards etc. They try her bedroom door which had one of those little bathroom latches on and you hear them laugh and carry on! Absolutely petrified. GF is holding me back but really, I wasn't that keen to go out there and they knew it. I'm picking up various bottles and squash rackets etc and weighing up their value as weapons. Went out tentatively when the noise had died to see a taxi heading off.
What had happened was her housemate had her coat nicked in a club, keys and wallet with address. Scallies move quick, try doorbell, no answer let themselves in. Use cab firm because who suspects a cab firm? They get a cut. Police arrive and say that without doubt it was a family up the road. Amazingly, bearing in mind it now 3am, there a 10 year old kid riding round. Police say he's their lookout to see if Police are on the scene.
Another mate had her stereo nicked in a separate burglary and the house opposite played the CD that was in it at the time at full volume for the next week.
Another mate was burgled in Sydney Grove, Fenham but no break in. Turns out they came through the loft. Police took them into next door and all their stuff is there.
Too many tales of burglary from Newcastle.