Burglars caught in Storm

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Fifty-eight criminals were arrested in Rochdale last week (18 to 24 January) in 19 raids as part of the New Year’s first blitz on burglars.

Officers were out in force and used a range of tactics to target known and suspected burglars through home visits, stops check, high profile policing and the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to reassure residents and deter offenders.

Chief Inspector James Troisi for Rochdale Division, said: “This operation has helped us in showing our most prolific offenders that we are serious about making them pay for their crimes. This is just one example of how we plan on bringing them to justice.”

The week of action was organised under Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Storm initiative, which was launched in June. It is geared to driving down burglaries and increasing burglary convictions. Since 1 April burglary has dropped by 13 per cent across the Division, this has resulted in 199 fewer victims of this crime.

Chief Inspector Troisi, said: “To see the arrest of so many key offenders is a great result but to have this supported by such a drop in our burglary figures is a real example of how the hard work that all of our teams have put in, is paying off.

“We would like these results to send a message to would be offenders that we won’t tolerate them taking part in this callous and vicious crime.”

PCSOs also visited homes, schools and shopping centre where they gave crime reduction advice and got residents to register their valuables on Immobilise.com. The website is a national database which can be accessed by police. It can increase chances of having recovered stolen property returned to you. In addition checks were also made to second-hand outlets to ensure they were not handling stolen goods.

“Registering your valuables is so important, I can’t stress enough the importance of doing this. It’s easy to use but also simplifies insurance claims and police reports,” said Chief Inspector Troisi.

Residents are reminded to contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team for any policing issues:

Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team covering Norden, Healey, Bamford, Central, Town Centre, Spotland and Falinge on 0161 856 9961 / rochdalenorthpartnership@gmp.police.uk
Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team covering Kingsway, Castleton, Milkstone and Deeplish, Balderstone and Kirkholt on 0161 856 8549 / rochdalesouthpartnship@gmp.police.uk
Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team covering North, South, East and West Middleton on 0161 856 8701 / middletonpartnership@gmp.police.uk

Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team covering Hopwood Hall, West and North Heywood on 0161 856 8589 / heywoodpartnership@gmp.police.uk

Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team covering Littleborough Lakeside, Wardle and West Littleborough, Smallbridge and Firgrove and Milnrow and Newhey on 0161 856 4556 / pennineparnership@gmp.police.uk
You can call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

Only call 999 in an emergency or where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.

To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit:

www.gmp.police.uk