Crime reduced in Middleton

Inspector Gary Hall

Crime has been reduced by 20 per cent in Middleton thanks to a clampdown on offenders.

Figures show that between 1 April and 30 June there were 263 fewer victims of crime across the town, when compared to the same period the previous year.

Middleton communities have also see a 16 per cent reduction in burglary, 24 per cent reduction in vehicle crime, 22 per cent reduction in criminal damage and 69 per cent drop in robberies.

Offender targeting and a series of policing initiatives have helped produce this result. This included burglary initiative Operation Fence, which was carried out in May in the Alkrington area. Four people were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and 15 people were stopped and accounted for.

The team also carried out visits to homes in the neighbouring area to issue crime prevention advice.

In the last six months, 512 homes in the town have had their security improved as part of a crime reduction project.

Under the Safer Homes scheme, police community support officers identified the vulnerable properties, surveyed them and highlighted any security issues. They then offered the homeowners the chance to have security devices fitted free of charge.

During the project, which was funded by the Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Police Trust via the Home Office’s Safer Homes fund, Timpson’s Locksmiths fitted many different security measures such as:
• 457 door chains,
• 37 door viewers,
• 123 tower bolts,
• 10 mortise bolts,
• 41 door locks,
• 114 window locks,
• 10 patio bolts and
• 276 patio sash jammers
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Each home was also given a pack containing crime reduction and fire safety advice, as well as a discount coupon for the ‘How To Avoid Becoming A Target For Crime’ guide.

Inspector Gary Hall for Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It is great to see the hard work of the team is paying off, but we will not rest on our laurels. It is important to ensure our work continues and to see more of the criminals pay the price of their crime.

“However, we can’t achieve these results on our own, it is important that residents remember to ensure all vulnerable windows and doors are kept locked even when you are in your home.

“Our research shows that one in three burglaries happen as a result of people leaving their windows open like this and by taking these simple precautions you can prevent yourself from being a victim of crime.”

In east Alkrington, the Home Watch scheme was re-established to provide the community with crime updates as well as home security tips. The police community support officers worked with officers to Smartwater the area (this is a property marking spray which uses a chemically enhanced water containing a unique forensic fingerprint that glows under ultraviolet light) and signs have also been put up to show potential perpetrators that the area is part of the Home Watch scheme.

Inspector Hall added: “Prior to the break we held a series of inputs at schools in the town reminding pupils about the importance of keeping personal possessions away from prying eyes when out and about. We hope that these steps will help in reducing personal robbery.

“During the summer holidays we will also continue with our joint patrols with senior teachers from Middleton Technology School. They will be helping us identify youngsters and getting them off the streets and into extra-curricular activities promoted by youth services.”