Police promise success on burglary crackdown

Police Officers

Police in Greater Manchester have pledged to leave no stone unturned in their fight to bring burglars to justice in a week of action starting this Monday (20 July).

Operation Storm will use intelligence gathered over the last few months to target burglars in their homes, in their communities and on the roads in a hard-hitting series of raids.

The force-wide clampdown is being co-ordinated by a newly formed team of experienced senior officers dedicated to bringing down burglaries and putting offenders behind bars.

Officers will carry out raids on the homes of known and suspected burglars, target communities blighted by domestic burglary to disrupt and deter criminal activity and encourage residents to report suspicious behaviour either directly to them or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Operation Tornado, a new high impact, concentrated version of traditional ANPR* activity will be brought to bear on communities that have been identified as being targeted by burglars or where these criminals live.

This new tactic involves supplementing roads policing officers with colleagues from the elite Tactical Vehicle Crime Unit (TVCU) using intercept vehicles and motorbikes, neighbourhood officers with local knowledge and police and drug detection dogs.

Crime scene investigators now offer a round-the-clock, seven-day service to burglary officers. A priority turnaround of forensic material gathered from burglary crime scenes means that offenders can be taken out of circulation more quickly before they can commit more crimes.

Operation Storm will be supported by a high profile public information campaign urging citizens to help police to “bang up burglars” by providing information on criminal or suspicious activity to police directly on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.

Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson who heads up Greater Manchester Police’s fight against burglary said: ”Over the last few years we have developed an envious reputation for the investigation of serious and organised crimes.

“With Operation Storm we are applying tactics and work practices developed in that area to burglary offences. Early indications are that it is and will continue to pay dividends in putting burglars behind bars.

“This new approach involves tasking a team of highly qualified and experienced senior police officers, forensics investigators and crime analysts to focus together on targeting the prolific offenders who are causing such misery to the people of our county.

“Operation Storm means that burglars can expect the heat to be turned up on them over the next few months with the likelihood of them ending the summer behind bars.”