Police launch April Fools campaign to target thieves

Greater Manchester Police is urging the public to help make an ‘April Fool’ out of criminals.

Building on the success of Operation Storm and Operation Alloy, a forcewide operation will run throughout April to bring thieves, burglars and robbers to justice and make the streets safer.

The activity will build on the latest crime figures, which showed there were more than 16,000 fewer victims of crime.

Incidents of crime fell from 234,028 to 217,499, meaning that there were 16,529 fewer victims between October 2010 and September 2011.

Deputy Chief Constable, Ian Hopkins, said: “We have had great success in reducing and solving crime, which is making communities feel safer than ever before. I want people to realise that there are fewer victims of crime and criminals are finding it harder to operate, which is good news.

“During this month-long operation we will be knocking on the doors of offenders, targeting people who pass on stolen goods, appealing for information from the community and making sure people are safe in their homes.”

Each of the force's 12 divisions will focus on the crimes that impact most on their local communities and to support this, the force will publicise who we need to catch along with prevention information.

An ‘April’s Fools’ gallery of wanted offenders will be uploaded to GMP’s Flickr account and information can be shared and received using the #AprilFool on Twitter.

Residents across Greater Manchester will be urged not to become an ‘April Fool’ by locking their windows and doors and preventing burglary. Preventative messages will urge people not to be an ‘April Fool’, and residents will be encouraged to come forward with information and intelligence to report an ‘April Fool’.

Videos relating to operational activity will be also made available on GMP’s YouTube account so residents can see how some operations are carried out.

DCC Hopkins, added: “The community can help us with this operation by providing information on anyone they know to be involved in criminality or by helping us locate wanted offenders.

“Victims of stealing offences not only have to go through the ordeal of the offence itself but on many occasions personal and treasured items are taken. That is why we also want to locate and return stolen property so I would urge anyone with information about where and how criminals are disposing of such items to get in touch.

“Residents can pass information at any time by phoning us or visiting their local station, but they can also use our social network accounts and I would urge them to get involved and use our #AprilFool campaign to pass on information.”