Burglars Face Bleak Winter

Police in Wigan and Leigh have again pledged to leave no stone unturned in their fight to bring burglars to justice.

October sees the launch of a wide range of police activity throughout autumn and winter as part of Operation Storm to reduce burglary and increase the number of burglars convicted. An audio advertisement for this initiative can be heard by clicking on the link below:

Figures show that thorough police work led to 85 fewer burglaries across the borough during the period 1 April – 30 September 2009 compared to the same period last year. This is a significant drop of 10 per cent in offences, and officers are determined to make further reductions. Police will continue to target known and suspected burglars through stop checks and home visits and use high-profile policing to reassure residents and deter offenders. Officers will also work with the probation service and Wigan Council’s Youth Offending Team to ensure that offenders comply with their licence conditions, and with drug treatment services to identify those who may be funding their habits through crime. Offenders just released from prison will be closely monitored and officers will conduct regular checks at second-hand outlets to ensure they are not handling stolen goods.

In addition, police community support officers will inform residents if their homes are insecure, run regular crime-prevention stalls, visit schools to give out home security messages and visit vulnerable residents for reassurance.

Operation Storm is again being supported by a high-profile public information campaign urging citizens to help police to ‘bang up burglars’. They can do this by reporting criminal or suspicious activity to police directly on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

As part of the campaign a customised ad-van will travel round the borough displaying the Crimestoppers number and crime prevention messages, and an electronic sign will be used in hotspot locations to remind people about home security. Furthermore, crime prevention advice relating to Operation Storm will be broadcast on the tannoy system at ASDA supermarket on Robin Park Road in Wigan.

Chief Inspector Jacqueline Pendlebury of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Division said: “Burglary is a crime that can have a devastating impact on victims’ lives, and through Operation Storm we are using a wide range of tactics to home in on offenders. “Police officers, forensics investigators and crime analysts work together, and with other police forces, to target the most prolific burglars, and I can assure residents that we are doing all we can to keep their homes safe. “A major factor in the success of Operation Storm so far has been the information provided by the public, and I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to always contact us if they suspect someone may be involved in burglary, or any other crime. Information provided can help us to bring criminals to justice. We need your help.”

Police are encouraging residents to remember the ALL message to help decrease their chances of becoming burglary victims:

• Alarm – get a burglar alarm fitted and use it every time you go out or go to bed.
• Locks – remember to lock all external doors and windows whether you are at home or not, as a third of all burglaries across the county are still down to residents failing to secure their homes – an oversight that in many cases can invalidate insurance cover.
• Lights – leave a light on when you go out or use timer switches to operate lights and radios to keep burglars guessing on whether a home is occupied or empty.

Burglars prefer to operate in the dark and the onset of the winter months can lead to an increase in burglaries, so the above crime reduction advice becomes even more important. Residents are also encouraged to mark their valuables with UV pens or better still register them for free on immobilise.com. This is a national database that allows police to match registered items with those found or seized from suspected criminals.