632 arrested as police storm offenders

A pre-Christmas clampdown on burglars has seen police arrest 632 offenders.

Officers have also carried out 200 raids seizing £50,000 of drugs, £25,000 in cash and property worth £65,000 as part of Operation Storm.

An Audi A3, Rolex watches and plasma-screen TVs were discovered along with six cannabis farms which were closed down.

Operation Storm was set up in June to reduce burglaries and bring offenders to justice.

To date it has helped to reduce burglary by almost 9% when comparing figures with April this year to the same period last year meaning 1,046 fewer families were burgled.

During the last major clampdown at the end of June, more than 250 arrests were made, 200 warrants executed and property worth £500,000 was recovered.

Police say a key component of this success has been the information provided by the public on suspicious activity.

With the clocks going back this weekend police are warning people to not let their guard down as burglars hide under the cover of darkness and take advantage of homes bursting with presents bought for Christmas.

By following simple advice such as locking doors and windows, using alarms when you go out, homeowners can reduce their chances of falling prey to callous crooks.

Chief Supt Russ Jackson who is leading Operation Storm said: “This first week’s results of our winter war on burglars shows that we mean business. These arrests are down to the hard work and determination of police officers, staff and partner organisations across the county.

“The message to criminals that continue to offend is very simple — we will be coming for you, very soon, and you will be spending Christmas and the New Year behind bars.”