Police News - Rochdale South

Arrests/Warrants:

A male, 15 has been charged with burglary and criminal damage.

A burglar who smashed his way into a home occupied by a 100-year-old woman has been jailed.

Donald Fraser-Rennie carried out an untidy search and stole cash, a gold watch and the victim's hearing aid. But the defendant left his DNA at the scene and was later arrested.

Now Fraser-Rennie has been jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for four years.

Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin said the burglary happened at an address in Manchester New Road, Middleton, Manchester, between March 31 and April 2.

Miss Chamberlin said the victim was present at the time and Fraser-Rennie switched the light on in her room. But Fraser-Rennie left his blood at the scene which led to him being arrested.

On April 10 the defendant stole a mobile phone from his partner's sister who lived Hopwood Road, Middleton and sold it to a man in Manchester.

Fraser-Rennie was arrested in Cobridge on April 18 after police were called to an address due to loud music.

Miss Chamberlin said: "The defendant appeared to be co-operative at first. But he later pulled away and head-butted an officer causing a break to his nose and the chipping of his teeth. Another officer took hold of him and he struck backwards with his head – a reverse head-butt - hitting him on the eyebrow."

Fraser-Rennie, aged 27, of Newcastle Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to burglary where he was given 3 years, theft which he was 3 months given and two charges of assault on officers which he was given 11 months.

Burglary & Vehicle Crime Update’s for this week from Friday 4 July- Thursday 10 July

• Theft from motor vehicle (TFMV) 5 Heywood – 5 Middleton 
• Theft of motor vehicle (TOMV) 1 Heywood – 5 Middleton 
• Burglary – 5 Middleton – 0 Heywood 
• Burglary OTD (Sheds & Garages) – 6 Middleton – 2 Heywood 

Crime Prevention tips for the week

Shed & Outbuilding Security

The security of your outbuildings, such as sheds and garages, often takes second place to securing your home.

However, sheds and garages can contain high value items such as bicycles, gardening equipment and tools.

Think about what you store in your outbuildings and add up the value – how much would you lose if your shed or garage was broken into and how inconvenient would that be?

A few simple, relatively cheap measures will help secure outbuildings and deter would-be thieves.

Hints and tips for securing your outbuildings:

• Avoid storing valuable items like power tools and golf clubs in your shed. These items should be kept inside your home or a secure garage. 
• Remember to lock your shed or garage after use. 
• Secure shed doors by fitting a strong hasp and staple (also called a ‘padbar’). Secure this with coach bolts and lock the hasp over the staple with a closed shackle padlock. 
• Secure shed door hinges with coach bolts or non-returnable screws. 
• Further protect your shed with a ‘shed bar’. This and other approved security products will improve the security of your shed or garage. 
• Replace any rotten door or window frames. 
• Replace broken glass panes or use Perspex or polycarbonate as a more secure alternative for shed and garage windows. Use a window lock along with a strong grille or wire mesh. Use curtains or netting so people cannot see inside. Screw windows shut if you do not use them. 
• Fit a good quality battery operated alarm to your outbuilding. 
• Up-and-over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. 
• Fit British Standard approved locks to all your external garage doors including integral doors which access your house. 
• If you have a household alarm fitted, consider extending the system to cover your garage. 
• Chain items such as bicycles, ladders and lawnmowers to a strong anchor point or to each other and use a closed shackle padlock. 
• Property mark items such as drills and lawnmowers. Items can be postcoded by etching, painting, stenciling, etc. 
• Make sure your household insurance covers your shed or garage. 

Since 30 June there have been a high volume of shed breaks and burglaries throughout the North Heywood neighbourhood, happening overnight from 22:30hrs onwards.

Items that have been stolen are lawn-mowers and garden items but it highly likely that thieves are targeting sheds for pedal cycles.

PCSO’s Bailey, Gregory and George are urging residents to be more vigilant during the light evening hours and to make sure that adequate security measures are put in place.

Between 8 July and 10 July the officers have so far provided and fitted anti-theft screws to the hinges on 26 vulnerable and attacked sheds.

If any residents have any information regarding burglaries or any other criminal activity please call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on

Events
PCSO Shirley Oliver (North Middleton) attended Cardinal Langley School on Tuesday 8 July and carried out a Drug Awareness Presentation in conjunction with Early Break (Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Service).