Kirkholt gets smart with burglars

A home-security initiative involving nearly 3,000 homes is being launched on the Kirkholt estate next week as part of GMP’s new burglary campaign, Operation Guardian.

Police community support officers and crime reduction advisors will deliver SmartWater kits to homes on the estate, which residents can use to security mark their property.

Householders will also be given warning stickers to display in their windows to deter burglars, and leaflets will be left for people who are not at home so they can take up the offer at a later date.

The first area to be included in the three-week campaign will be Curzon Road, which has suffered a disproportionate number of burglaries in recent months, and street signs will be put up to highlight that SmartWater is being used.

Police officers will be trained in identifying property that has been marked with SmartWater, and anyone arrested will be scanned under ultraviolet light to check for traces of the solution.

Inspector Carol Wright of the Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “By encouraging people to mark their property with SmartWater we can not only deter burglars, but also return more property to the rightful owners and bring more offenders to justice.

“I would also remind householders that one in three burglaries happen when doors and windows are left open or unlocked, even when the property is occupied. To reduce the chances of being burgled, residents should keep all vulnerable doors and windows locked.”

The initiative is being jointly run by Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council in partnership with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The SmartWater kits have been paid for using funds from the Rochdale Township Committee.

Councillor Ted Flynn, cabinet member for community safety, added: “Improving community safety is one of the council’s top priorities and this scheme is an excellent way to help prevent and detect burglaries in an area where there is an identified problem. I would encourage local residents in Kirkholt to mark their property in this way – it will help them get their property back if it’s stolen and help the police to catch those who took it.”