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Police target car thieves in Saddleworth village
Date published: 19/01/2009
FRIGHTENED residents in a Saddleworth village have been woken in a series of pre-dawn clampdowns by a special squad of police officers searching for burglars and car thieves.
Local Greater Manchester Police officers targeted Greenfield, the scene of a number of lightning attacks in the last few days.
The squad, including an undercover team and specialist unit, moved into the area after a spate of thefts from houses which resulted in three cars being stolen from outside residents’ homes.
Police believe the Saddleworth attacks come in the wake of surge in burglaries coupled to car thefts being investigated by officers in neighbouring Tameside.
Working as a combined force, the officers saturated a quiet, estate in the centre of Greenfield.
One resident said: “I was shocked to be woken at 5am by police searching my garden. It was like a battlefield.
“There were policemen appearing from all directions,” he added. “It was a bit terrifying.”
Sergeant Craig Johnson, of the Saddleworth and Lees township, said there had been six burglaries in the Greenfield area this year.
“This is a concerted police operation to foil criminals entering houses to steal car keys and make off with vehicles ,” he said.
“My officers have been working with a team from Oldham and Tameside to ensure full support in several operations at Greenfield.”
Police are also investigating burglaries in Scouthead, Grasscroft and Dobcross.
Sgt Johnson said: “We would urge anyone who seems anything suspicious — no matter how trivial — to report to us immediately.
“And we would ask car owners to ensure they lock their cars and put their keys in a secure place.”
Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association said: “It is good the hear police are on these cases. It certainly makes the community feel more secure.”
Residents with concerns should call 0161 872 5050.
Have Your Say
Have you been a victim of crime recently Ruffyed? I'm sure if you was a victim, you wouldn't be complaining as much as you seem to.
I was very very impressed by the way the police conducted themselves and the operation was so profesional.... And yes they caught three suspects. so i suggest have a bit more faith in your local bobbys. Greenfield resident at first hand experience of the whole affair. Jay
2 yrs ago we told the police 6 times,that there were suspicious people at the back of houses on a Greenfield street.No-one attended until neighbours had 2 cars stolen and house broken into.More recently in May,I awoke to find a couple being arrested outside my back garden and 2 handguns,a knife and some drugs were taken from their car.Now lets stop this debate about where police activity should be centred and just get on with the difficult task of trying to eradicate crime in our borough.
“There were policemen appearing from all directions, it was a bit terrifying.”
I bet it was. Here on the mean streets of downtown Owdham, to have one policeman appearing from any direction would be a cause of wonderment.
Three cars stolen,eh. How many cars taken in Oldham every day then? Has the Chief Constable moved to live in Saddleworth by any chance?
PS Did they catch anyone after all this? It doesn't sound like it. I wonder how much it all cost? I bet they were on overtime.
By Ruffyed @ 19/01/2009 17:09:57
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