Police steeling themselves for metal theft

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A recent operation targeting lead theft in Rochdale resulted in six arrests and over 50 stop searches being made.

The theft of lead has been steadily increasing over the last 10 months and police in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood launched the covert Operation Ring to gather important intelligence and target known offenders.

Officers patrolled hot spot areas and one evening they came across 10 manhole covers placed on the pavement ready for collection.  These were kept under observation and when no offenders reappeared they were replaced.

Inspector Lin Houldershaw of Rochdale police station said: “Through this operation we have gathered vital intelligence about the theft of lead.

“One thing we are aware of is that offenders are using wheelie bins, not only to reach onto roofs to steal the lead, but also to transport it.  I would like local residents to watch out for this kind of suspicious behaviour, plus if they spot people on roofs for no apparent reason they should report it immediately to the police.”
 
The operation ran over two weeks and the arrests ranged from burglary, breach of court order in relation to lead thefts, excess alcohol and also breach of the peace.  The stop searches also resulted in three cannabis warnings being given.

If anyone has any information regarding the theft of lead, please contact police on 0161 872 5050 or visit www.gmp.police.uk to report it online.