John Howard's house burgled as he watches cricket in Windies
THIEVES have broke into the Sydney home of former prime minister John Howard.
Police were called to the Wollstonecraft home on Sydney's lower north shore shortly after 4pm yesterday after an alarm was tripped.
Mr Howard and his wife Janette are in the Caribbean to watch the Australian cricket team play the West Indies in the First Test which began this morning.
They were in their hotel preparing to travel to Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, to watch the first day's play when they were contacted about the burglary.
It was obvious that Mr Howard was determined not to let the break-in ruin what he said was a long-held ambition to watch a Test series in the West Indies.
"I am aware of the break-in at the house and am not going to make any comment," Mr Howard said when contacted by The Daily Telegraph at the Hilton hotel.
His words echoed those of his wife Janette earlier: "Yes we are aware the house has been broken into. But we are not making any (further) comment.''
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The extent and value of the jewellery taken is unlikely to be known until the Howards return.
They moved back into the home last November after Mr Howard was defeated by Kevin Rudd in the federal election. He had been Prime Minister for 11 years before losing his seat of Bennelong.
Australian Federal Police stood guard outside the Howards' residence last night while police continued with investigations from inside the upstairs bedroom.
Neighbours said residents of the the leafy tree-lined street maintained a strong community sentiment and looked out for each other.
Bruce Trevena, 50, who lives opposite the Howards, moved into the street a year ago. He said the constant police presence in the area since the Howards had moved had added to his sense of security.
“We thought this was a really secure neighbourhood,’’ he said
”We all know each other here’’.
Another neighbour, Andrew, said he had heard the alarm going, but assumed it had been the house next door. During a late afternoon run, the man had seen the lights on and assumed the Howards had returned from their holiday.
“The Howards are good neighbours,’’ he said
“It’s no secret that he lives here.
“This is what happens though, in the end I suppose everyone gets their turn.’’
Another nearby resident, Mark Tannahill, said it showed Mr Howard was just like everyone else.
“The poor dude, you just think this guy deserves to be left alone.”
Others, however were not so sympathetic.
Walking his dog late last night, one nearby resident said he thought the Howards deserved it.
“I hope they took the lot,” he said.
very low class, senseless losers.
