Shop a criminal at your local supermarket

Bang up Burglars postcard being used this weekend to give shoppers information on crime reduction and reporting suspicious activity

Following the arrest of more than a hundred criminals this week through Operation Advent Greater Manchester Police is asking the public to help them continue the clampdown by sharing information on suspicious activity with them directly on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This weekend, the busiest shopping period of the year, will see officers based at the entrances of dozens of supermarkets giving residents information on how they can provide them with the vital information they need to bring more criminals to justice.

The tactic is part of Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Advent geared to curbing crimes such as burglary, theft and alcohol fuelled violence that can rise in the run up to Christmas.

It also aims to put criminals behind bars before they can spoil the festive season for law abiding citizens. Raids so far this week on 52 properties have led to over 93 arrests, five cannabis farms being dismantled and the seizure of £2.5k in cash under Proceeds Of Crime Act (POCA) legislation as well as three vehicles associated with crime.

Officers say that they will not be letting criminals enjoy the Christmas break and will continue hard hitting enforcement actions like these into the New Year.

Officers will also be giving advice on how people can keep themselves and their property safe from thieves at the supermarket public engagement events.

Information that will help police to target burglars and build up evidence that will lead to convictions include names, addresses and telephone numbers as well as descriptions of the suspects such as height, build, colouring and clothing. Information like makes, models, colours and registration numbers of the vehicles used by suspects can also prove useful.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney who is leading Operation Advent said: “We have already arrested more than a hundred criminals and plan on arresting many more in the next month.

“Information on the activities, residences, movements and associates of criminals is a precious commodity in our fight to reduce crime and bring offenders to justice.

“There are many people out there holding this information that could mean the difference between us putting a criminal behind bars or leaving them free to continue to blight communities and hurt innocent people.

“I would urge them to share that information with us directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers and help us to bang up burglars and other criminals to make our communities safer.”