Rochdale burglars feel force of storm

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Thirty-one people were arrested in Rochdale last week as part of Operation Storm, last week’s (20 – 24 July) force-wide week of action to target burglars.

Around 30 officers carried out raids on 33 properties of suspected burglars over the week to search for stolen property and other evidence to link those involved in criminal activity. A further 35 people were stopped and searched and held to account by members of the team.

Members of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams issued out 12 search warrants for known offenders and took part in high visibility patrols of hot spot areas.

The week of action was organised under Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Operation Storm initiative that was launched six weeks ago and is geared to driving down burglaries and increasing burglary convictions.

As part of the drive police community support officers (PCSO) from the Division took to six of the Borough’s supermarkets during opening hours. They distributed advice packs on securing peoples homes from burglars, registering property on a database to enable the police to trace the owners of recovered property.

Inspector Dale Sexton, for Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division said: “The week long operation has been a big success for the Division with the arrest of a number of very active criminals who are involved in burglary in the borough. As a result we expect that there will be fewer victims of burglary, which is great news for everyone.

“I would like to remind everyone to secure windows and doors when either in or out of your property as one in three burglaries is down to insecurities.”

Anyone providing information on crime and criminal activity can contact GMP directly on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.